Expert: Robert P. Firriolo - 11/16/2008

Question
Hello, I'm a new york resident and I was wondering can I use my Florida or
Virginia non resident ccw permit to purchase my first handgun if not where
can I? Also will other states honor my non resident ccw permit if I don't have
a NYC ccw permit?  Thanks in advance, joe

Answer
I am a little unclear about all of what you're asking, but I'll try to answer as best I can.

"Hello, I'm a new york resident and I was wondering can I use my Florida or Virginia non resident ccw permit to purchase my first handgun..."

You cannot lawfully purchase a handgun in New York without a New York handgun license. You may not possess a handgun in New York without a New York handgun license. Your non-resident licenses are not worth the paper they are printed on, as far as the New York authorities are concerned.

"if not where can I?"

Nowhere. As explained by the BATFE, "A person may only acquire a firearm within the person’s own State, except that he or she may purchase or otherwise acquire a rifle or shotgun, in person, at a [federal firearm] licensee's premises in any State, provided the sale complies with State laws applicable in the State of sale and the State where the purchaser resides. A person may borrow or rent a firearm in any State for temporary use for lawful sporting purposes."

[18 U.S.C. 922(a)(3) and (5), 922(b)(3), 27 CFR 478.29 and 478.30]

"Also will other states honor my non resident ccw permit if I don't have a NYC ccw permit?"

Florida and Virginia will. Other states that extend reciprocity to Florida and Virginia licenses probably will too, but that will depend on the law of each of the other states. Most states maintain a list of other state licenses that they recognize, often on the state police website. I do not recall any state specifically requiring a home-state permit to recognize another state's license issued to a non-resident of that other state. However, it behooves one to check out the laws of each state he intends to visit to see if his firearm license or permits are recognized.