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New York City

Lawsuit Challenges Lengthy NYC Firearm Permit Delays

New York City faces a class-action lawsuit over claims that the NYPD takes up to 18 months to process firearm license applications.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Law Enforcement

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A class-action lawsuit filed March 3 challenges the NYPD for allegedly exceeding state-mandated six-month deadlines for firearm permit processing in New York City. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should local government agencies be held strictly accountable to legal deadlines for processing permit applications?

Plaintiffs filed a class-action lawsuit on March 3, 2025, alleging the NYPD consistently exceeds the state-mandated six-month deadline for processing firearm license applications. The suit claims applicants frequently wait 12 to 18 months for a decision from the License Division.

Why it matters

The legal action highlights the strain on municipal systems following an 80% surge in permit applications between 2022 and 2023. Applicants argue the delays impede their ability to exercise rights while facing costs that exceed $800 in fees and mandatory training.

A federal lawsuit filed on March 3, 2025, in the Southern District of New York seeks to challenge the NYPD License Division's processing timeline. The litigation remains ongoing with plaintiffs citing individual wait times reaching over 18 months.

The players

NYPD License Division

This department is responsible for receiving, reviewing, and granting firearm license applications for residents of New York City.

Robert Milani

He is the lead plaintiff in the class-action lawsuit who received his license over one year and six months after his initial submission.

The details

The NYPD License Division is required by state law to process applications within six months unless providing written notice of specific delays. Plaintiffs, including Robert Milani, contend that these extended wait times have become the standard despite the absence of legal penalties for missing the statutory window.

Timeline

  1. In 2019, the NYPD received 258 carry permit applications.

  2. In 2022, the Supreme Court decided NY State Rifle & Pistol v. Bruen.

  3. In 2023, the NYPD received 13,369 residence and 6,751 carry applications.

  4. On February 6, 2025, Robert Milani received his firearm license.

  5. On March 3, 2025, plaintiffs filed the Milani v. New York City lawsuit.

Legal Context

This litigation follows a significant increase in permit applications sparked by the 2022 Supreme Court decision in NY State Rifle & Pistol v. Bruen. It reflects ongoing tensions between local administrative capacity and the judicial interpretation of firearm licensing requirements.

Residents seeking a firearm license must budget for costs including a $340 processing fee and $400 to $500 for mandatory safety training. The ongoing legal challenge may eventually clarify whether applicants can compel the city to meet the state-mandated six-month processing deadline.

The takeaway

Applicants should be prepared for significant financial and time commitments when pursuing a firearm license in New York City. Understanding the current administrative backlog is essential for those planning to navigate the licensing process.

Further reading

Learn more about local oversight and department procedures on the Law Enforcement section page.

More information

For additional information on civil rights and government accountability, visit the DOJ civil rights complaint portal.

Source note: This article includes information reported by AmmoLand.

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Should local government agencies be held strictly accountable to legal deadlines for processing permit applications?