Semi-Automatic Rifle Permit Process Now in Effect

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A semi-automatic rifle license is now required in New York State to purchase and take possession of semiautomatic rifles.  Any person that possessed a semi-automatic rifle prior to September 4, 2022, is not required to obtain the license but to buy or take possession of any new semiautomatic rifles you will now need one.    

In Monroe County, here’s how it will work:

If you currently have a Pistol/Revolver permit and want to apply for a Semi-Automatic Rifle Permit:

                –You do not need to apply for a new license but can amend your current license to include the Semi-Automatic endorsement. 

                -You’ll need to complete an amendment form and pay a $12 fee. 

-Process can be completed at your appointment, or within 7-10 days if you mail-in or drop-off your paperwork. 

– Semi-Automatic Rifle permits cannot be issued on paper Pistol/Revolver Permits. You will need to fill out a Plastic Card Conversion form with your completed amendment. Paper permits changing to plastic will require an in-person appointment. 

If you currently have a pending Pistol/Revolver permit application and want to apply for the Semi-Automatic Rifle Permit:

-You do not need to fill out another permit application but can add the request for the licensing officer.

-You’ll need to complete an amendment form and pay a $12 fee.

-Process will be completed with your pending pistol permit application, depending on its status in the process.

-If the Judge has already approved your application, you will need to complete the process outlined in option 1 above.

If you currently do NOT have a Pistol/Revolver permit but would like to apply for the Semi-Automatic Rifle Permit:

                –You will need to fill out a Pistol/Revolver/Semi-Automatic Rifle application and submit it for the standard process of a background check and consideration by the licensing officer.

-You are not required to apply for a Pistol/Revolver license in order to obtain a Semi-Automatic Rifle permit, but do have that option.

-Do not fill out the portions of the application that pertain to a Carry Concealed Permit unless you wish to apply for one.

-There is no training requirement for a Semi-Automatic Rifle permit however, applications indicating a desire to apply for both a Carry Concealed and Semi-Automatic Rifle permit must meet all the new requirements in State Law for a Carry Concealed Pistol/Revolver Permit (Including 18-hours of training)

-Process will take between 6-12 months and cost between $129-$140.

Things get a bit more confusing when it comes to renewing these permits, “localities are in charge of the semi-automatic rifle recertification, state police is in charge of the pistol/handgun portion of it,” explains Monroe County Clerk Jamie Romeo. 

In many cases there will be different deadlines for each part of the permit as well, “if you have carry-conceal and the semi automatic rifle endorsement, you have to do every 3 years with the state for the carry conceal, you have to do 5 years with the county for your semi-automatic rifle,” explains Romeo, “If you have a possess on premise permit and the semi-automatic endorsement, then they both need to be renewed every 5 years but again, you do the possess on premise with the state and the semi-automatic with us.”