hands holding pistol

In order to have or carry a pistol in New York State, you must first obtain a pistol license. In Westchester County,  licensing officers are judges or justices of the Supreme or County Court (Penal Law §265.00[10]). The Westchester County Department of Public Safety Pistol License Unit acts as the investigative service to the licensing officer for all firearm license matters. The Westchester County Clerk issues pistol licenses and is the repository for all pistol license records. Firearm licenses issued by Westchester County are valid for five years. If you have any questions about the pistol licensing matters, contact us.

Once you complete your New York State Pistol License application and have complied with all application instructions, you must then make an appointment with the Westchester County Department of Public Safety Pistol License Unit to be fingerprinted and interviewed by calling (914) 995-2709.

Westchester County Firearms Safety Course
The New York State Penal Code Section 400.(4-b) states, "In the county of Westchester, at the time of application…  (the) licensing officer shall require that the applicant submit a certificate of successful completion of a firearms safety course and test issued in his or her name and endorsed and affirmed under the penalties of perjury by a duly authorized instructor." A list of certified firearm instructors is located on Westchester County Clerk Pistol Licenses.

Firearm License Amendment and Recertification
Firearm License Amendment and Recertification forms are located on Westchester County Clerk Pistol Licenses. If you are requesting to change the restriction on your license, you must complete the State of New York Pistol License Amendment Form (Found on County Clerk Pistol Licenses.) in duplicate and the applicable attachment (Or, you may write your request on a blank sheet of paper.). You must also complete the Authorization for Release of Personal Information form. These forms must be notarized.

Firearm License Application Forms

 Effective Dec. 1, 2018, forms issued before July 24, 2018 will not be accepted.

Issue dates are found on the bottom left corner of the form.

Five additional forms can be obtained on the County Clerk site and are listed at the bottom of the page.

Pistol License Safety and Information Handbook for Westchester County

New York State Pistol License Application

New York State Gunsmith/Dealer License Application

Form PPB-3A-Pistol Continuation Sheet (Use only if you are registering more than four firearms.)

Attachment for Target Shooting

Attachment for Hunting

Attachment for Employment

Attachment for Full Carry

Attachment for Full Carry Retired LEO

Attachment for Premise Business

Attachment for Premise Dwelling

Attachment for Antique Pistol Collection

Attachment Generic

Statement of Firearms Co-Ownership

Affidavit of Private Sale of Firearms


Go to County Clerk Pistol Licenses for the specific forms and information listed below.

  • State of New York Pistol License Amendment Form
  • Pistol License Recertification Form
  • NYS Firearms License Request for Public Records Exemption
  • Request for Pistol License Transfer
  • List of Certified Firearm Instructors