Fully automatic weapons are illegal for civilian ownership in New York State. Federal law prohibits civilians from manufacturing, importing, or transferring fully automatic firearms manufactured after 1986. Pre-1986 fully automatic weapons can be legally owned by civilians in most states only with extensive federal licensing (Form 4, background checks, fingerprinting, and a $200 tax stamp through the ATF), but New York State law effectively closes this pathway by prohibiting the possession and transfer of all automatic weapons without explicit written authorization from the state superintendent of police—authorization that is rarely if ever granted for civilian possession.
New York's Penal Law Section 265.00 classifies automatic weapons as prohibited weapons. The state enforces one of the strictest interpretations of automatic weapon regulations in the country. Even antique or deactivated fully automatic weapons face legal restrictions. Additionally, New York State maintains strict rules on semi-automatic rifles and other regulated firearms, making the state's overall firearms regulations among the most restrictive in the nation.
Violation of these laws can result in serious criminal charges. Anyone interested in legally owning any firearm in New York should consult the specific state and federal regulations, as well as local ordinances, which vary by county and municipality. The legal landscape surrounding firearms is complex and strictly enforced in New York.