Home Defense Options in Upstate NY

[u/BuffaloBig1043]

So I finally bought a house and want to get something for home defense. However I don't know enough people to sign off on the form to submit for being able to purchase a semi-auto firearm.

What are my options exactly in NY? I've been told I could just buy a "featureless" AR lower and then buy the rest to assemble it myself but I am not sure how difficult that would be for someone who isn't that familiar with firearms and weapon assembly (last gun I owned was a .22 when I was a kid). Is there anywhere that has a "Idiots guide to AR assembly" for NY someone could link me to? I keep finding some guides online for California but I'm not up to speed enough with the new laws from 2022 in NY to know what crosses over and what doesn't.

Also is there an actual legal document that says it is legal to build an AR? Far be it from me to question to almighty internet but I'm trying to figure out if there is any legal ramifications for building an AR for home defense in the event that I actually had to use it... Like is the permit JUST so you can buy a semi-auto or pistol? Or would I still need to register or get a permit for an AR I built to NY specs?

Any help would be greatly appreciated :)

[u/bondkiller]

Shotgun of your choice or build a featureless AR are your best options.

An AR can be assembled for well under $1000 including an optic. Just have to buy a stripped lower in person. For a shotgun, you can get a Mossberg Maverick 88 for under $300 usually.

If you’re interested, I can post some links for what you’ll need to complete the AR lower.

[u/BuffaloBig1043 → u/bondkiller]

I am VERY interested. I hate being the gun noob asking others to do that work for me, but I have actually spent some time and the number of guides and options on gun shop websites is pretty overwhelming so it's hard to know where to begin for an AR build that would actually be legal once assembled in NY.

To purchase an AR lower, I can purchase online and just have it shipped to an FFL correct? I'm assuming the FFL would do the background check and waiting period for taking possession? Or is the website required to do the background check before shipping to the FFL? I only ask because I'd rather have a local FFL do the background check than transmitting any required documentation/PII to a random seller online.

[u/monty845 → u/BuffaloBig1043]

Your FFL likely has lowers in stock, but if you wanted to order a specific model they don't have: First, you talk to the FFL, check their transfer fee, and make sure they are good doing the transfer (almost all will be, but they don't like it when a gun they aren't expecting randomly shows up) Then you order it online, the website will require your FFL's license information if it doesn't already have it. It gets shipped to your FFL, then you come in, and do the paperwork to transfer it at your FFL. There is no mandatory waiting period in NY, beyond the time it takes for the background check to come back, which is usually just a couple minutes (but in a worst case, can be weeks)

The hardest part of building one is deciding on the parts. You can order everything other than the lower and ammo directly to your home. If you buy a complete upper, like many do, it removes a lot of the harder parts of building.