Established in 1871, the NYSRPA is dedicated to the preservation of gun rights, firearm safety and education, and shooting sports.

On January 29, 2013, NYSRPA filed a notice of legal claim against the highly controversial NY SAFE Act.

Paul Clement, an attorney who represents NYSRPA, petitioned the Supreme Court to answer the question "Whether the Second Amendment allows the government to prohibit ordinary law-abiding citizens from carrying handguns outside the home for self-defense".

The Supreme Court granted[2] the petition on April 26, 2021, but re-framed the question to "Whether the state's denial of petitioners' applications for concealed-carry licenses for self-defense violated the second amendment".

NYSRPA executive director Tom King objects to the state's gun law, which requires anyone seeking a license to carry a concealed weapon to demonstrate "a special need for self-protection."