State guides for selling firearms New York
Published: June 25, 2024 | Updated: January 26, 2026
Sell Your Gun in New York - Fast, Legal & Hassle Free.
We buy used firearms statewide — New York City to Buffalo — and provide a fair market offer through a fully licensed, online process. Instead of navigating local shops or private buyers, we handle the shipping, paperwork, and support so you can sell with confidence from anywhere in New York.
Whether you are looking to sell a modern handgun, a WWII collectible, a pre-ban rifle, or a full estate collection, our New York-compliant process ensures a safe and high-value transaction.
Trusted by 39,500+ sellers · 830+ Google reviews · Over $4.4M paid out to users
Sell a gun in New York without the pawn shop, gun store or private buyer headaches
We Buy Guns purchases firearms from private sellers using a federally licensed, online process. Get a documented offer based on current market demand and ship with clear compliance guidance.
Our 100% U.S. based team handles intake, verification and payment end-to-end so you can complete a legal, tracked transaction.
We specialize in assessing and buying high-value collections and estates from New York residents, including WWII Collectibles, Machine Guns and Pre-Ban Firearms.
No matter where you are located in New York, all of our customers have access to a dedicated support team for any questions about the process, shipping guidance, intake updates or payment status.
No surprises, no hassle and no hidden fees.
Major New York metros we serve
If you can ship a package within New York, you can sell directly to us.
- New York City
- Buffalo
- Rochester
- Yonkers
- Syracuse
- Albany
- New Rochelle
- Mount Vernon
- Schenectady
- Utica
- White Plains
- Troy
- Niagara Falls
- Binghamton
- Hempstead
- Freeport
We service all of New York. If you need cash for guns in New York City, a fast firearm valuation in Buffalo, or are looking to sell an estate collection in Yonkers, we will handle the entire process for you, legally and safely.
How to legally sell a firearm in New York
Learn how to legally sell a gun in New York — what options you have, when an FFL is required, and how to do it safely and compliant with state and federal rules.
Most private and estate sales route through a licensed dealer to ensure background checks and paperwork are handled correctly. This is required in interstate sales and highly recommended for documented compliance in state-to-state deals.
You may sell a firearm directly to another individual in New York so long as you confirm eligibility and both parties understand federal and state compliance rules. This option suits sellers who already know the buyer and can complete the transaction safely.
Selling to a federally licensed online buyer offers a streamlined process with documented offers, insured shipping, and clear compliance steps. We handle the majority of process steps for you — from offer to payment.
Many New York sellers choose an online, licensed buyer when they want a convenient process, a documented transaction, clear compliance guidance and quick payment.
Our process for New York firearm sellers
WeBuyGuns is a licensed buyer. Our process is designed to help New York sellers complete a legal, documented sale with clear steps from valuation to payment.
If anything is complicated about the firearm or transfer requirements, our team will guide you through the entire process.
- Tell us what you have
- Use our offer submission form. Share the make, model and condition. Photos help, especially for optics, accessories and any markings that affect value.
- Get an offer
- Our team reviews the details and provides a written offer based on the firearm, configuration and current demand.
- Ship legally
- If you accept our offer, we’ll generate prepaid shipping labels and provide clear instructions for securely packaging and shipping your firearms.
- Get paid
- Once received and inspected, we issue payment using the method selected during checkout and finalize the documented transfer.
Have questions about the process, how to get started, or your specific firearms?
Call us at (317) 804-8713
Secure, compliant and trackable from start to finish
Our track record
We are trusted by firearm sellers nationwide
Sell with confidence — no hassle and no hidden fees. Our streamlined process has facilitated thousands of firearms transactions nationwide, paying out over $4.4 million to users on our platform.
- Sellers on the platform
- 39,500+
- Paid out to sellers
- $4.4 Million
- We purchase firearms and ensure compliance in every state, including New York
- Fast nationwide service
- All transactions are handled by firearms professionals to ensure legal compliance
- Licensed FFL with a class 3 SOT
What our most recent customers have to say
State and federal laws for selling a gun in New York
This section highlights a few common state-level considerations when selling a firearm in New York. It is not legal advice. Requirements can vary by firearm type, buyer eligibility and local rules.
If you are unsure how a rule applies to your situation, review the official resources below or contact our team for help navigating the process.
- ID: Buyer and seller should have valid government-issued identification
- Age: Minimum age depends on handgun vs long gun
- Waiting periods: May apply in some retail scenarios and some local jurisdictions
- Background checks: Requirements differ for private sales vs dealer transfers
- Prohibited persons: Federal law sets the baseline and states can add restrictions
- New York State Police – Firearms Licensing and Recertification
- New York State Senate – Penal Law Article 265 (Firearms and Other Dangerous Weapons)
- New York State Senate – Penal Law 400.00 (Licensing and Other Provisions)
- ATF – State Laws and Published Ordinances (New York)
- NRA-ILA – New York gun laws overview
State law details
Understanding New York firearm sale rules
Expand for the full breakdown of common requirements in New York.
Most private transfers must go through a dealer
New York generally requires a licensed dealer to handle most firearm transfers between private parties. This creates a formal process, including identity checks and the required transfer paperwork.
- Plan on using an FFL for most person-to-person sales, even if both parties live in New York
- Selling to a licensed buyer online routes the transfer through standard intake and compliance steps on the receiving end
Identification and residency checks
When a dealer conducts a transfer, government-issued identification is part of the process. In a compliant private transfer workflow, the dealer uses identity and residency information to ensure the transfer is handled correctly.
- Use accurate identification details and matching addresses to avoid transfer delays
- If either party is out of state, the transfer must be handled through dealers in the appropriate states
Age and buyer eligibility
Age rules and eligibility depend on firearm type and transaction type. Dealers apply federal requirements and may have additional process steps under New York rules.
- If you are unsure whether a buyer is eligible, do not proceed with a private sale
- When selling online to a licensed buyer, our team can help you understand the transfer flow for your specific firearm
Handguns and certain semiautomatic rifles have added requirements
Handgun transfers are closely regulated and typically require licensing steps and local processing. Certain semiautomatic rifle transactions may also involve additional licensing requirements for the buyer depending on where they live and how the transfer is completed.
- For handguns, confirm the buyer can lawfully receive the firearm under local licensing rules before starting a transfer
- If you are selling a semiautomatic rifle, confirm whether buyer licensing rules apply before arranging a dealer transfer
Do not transfer to prohibited persons
Federal law prohibits transferring firearms to certain categories of people and New York has additional restrictions and processes that can affect lawful possession in specific situations. If you have any doubt about eligibility, stop the transaction.
- If anything feels off, do not proceed with a private transfer and use a dealer if you still want to explore a lawful sale
- Keep basic documentation for your records and use official resources if you have compliance questions
Federal law details
Federal rules that apply in every state
Expand for ATF guidance and prohibited person requirements.
New York residents must follow federal laws for private transactions
Federal law requires that the buyer of a firearm must be legally eligible to own a gun.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) provides guidelines for these transactions.
The content on WeBuyGuns.com is provided as a service to the online community. While we strive to offer reliable and up-to-date information, we do not guarantee its accuracy, completeness, or timeliness. Users should exercise their own judgment when using our website and consult appropriate legal resources or an attorney, especially when selling firearms, as we do not provide legal advice.
New York firearm selling FAQs
These are the most common questions we hear from New York sellers. If you don’t see your situation here, we’ll walk you through it before you ship anything.
Is it legal to sell a firearm online in New York? +
How do you determine what my gun is worth? +
What firearms can you buy from New York residents? +
Do I need an FFL in New York to ship my firearm? +
Do you provide a shipping label and packing instructions? +
How long does the process take from New York? +
What if I’m selling inherited firearms in New York? +
What information should I send to get the most accurate offer? +
Resources & guides
If you’re still deciding or your situation is more specific, these resources and guides on specific firearms and situations can help you move forward with confidence.
Guides for selling firearms in every state
Browse detailed state guidance, then submit for a compliant offer process that works nationwide.
Value guides by manufacturer
Estimate value ranges by make and model, then submit for a real offer based on photos and details.
Guide to selling a gun collection
What to expect when valuing and selling a complete firearm collection, from start to finish.
Pre-ban firearms valuation guide
How originality, configuration and documentation affect value for pre-ban and collector firearms.
WWII Firearms valuation guide
How originality, configuration and documentation affect value for WWII collector firearms.
Machine gun valuation guide
Transferability basics, pricing drivers and how compliant sale workflows work for NFA items.
Not sure where to start?
Our no obligation offers on firearms and collections are free — just submit photos and firearm details and we'll guide you through the entire process, even if you choose not to sell with us.