<P> Gun laws in New York regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the U.S. state of New York . </P> <P> New York Civil Rights Law art . II, § 4 provides that "(a) well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms cannot be infringed ." </P> <P> New York state law does not require a license to own or possess long guns, but does require a permit to legally possess or own a pistol . However, all firearms must comply with the NY SAFE Act, which bans guns considered "assault weapons" from ownership by private citizens, unless they were owned prior to the ban . </P> <P> The City of New York has its own set of laws, and requires permits to own any long gun or pistol . </P>

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