🔫 Weapons and the Law
“The Federal Weapons Statute clearly states… ah, who am I kidding. Everyone pretty much ignores all of the above.”
— Anonymous NCPD officer
Open carry is technically regulated, but enforcement in Night City is a joke. Understanding the official rules—and how they’re actually applied—helps you blend in with the locals.
đź“ś The Official Rules
Carry Permits (1999 Federal Statute)
To legally carry a concealed handgun in Night City:
| Step | Requirement |
|---|---|
| 1 | Fill out a “carry application” at any NCPD precinct |
| 2 | Wait 4 days for FBI/CIA background check |
| 3 | Pay 25eb fee |
| 4 | Have your weapon’s serial number laser-etched |
The serial number is cataloged with your gun’s ballistics pattern at federal headquarters in Washington D.C.
What’s Legal vs. Illegal
| Category | Status | Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Handguns | Legal (with permit) | N/A |
| Rifles | Legal | N/A |
| SMGs (fully automatic) | Illegal | 5-7 years mandatory |
| Assault rifles (full-auto) | Illegal | 5-7 years mandatory |
| Heavy weapons | Illegal | 5-7+ years |
The Liability Clause
If a gun with your registered serial number is used in a crime, you are held liable for that crime unless you previously reported it stolen and filed the report with NCPD.
The Reality
“Everyone pretty much ignores all of the above.”
The 4th Corporate War left so many weapons in circulation that enforcement is essentially impossible. NCPD has bigger problems. Gangers carry fully automatic weapons openly in Combat Zones.
đź›’ Where to Buy
Night Markets
The real weapons economy happens at Night Markets. Any decent Fixer can hook you up:
- Selection: Huge variety—the 4th Corporate War left surplus everywhere
- Legality: Don’t ask, don’t tell
- Quality: Ranges from pristine military surplus to sketchy polymer one-shots
- Prices: Negotiable, cash only, no serial numbers
Old Guns
Pre-War weapons are everywhere:
- Classic Berettas, Webleys, Colts available in pawn shops
- Catch: Finding ammunition—modern guns use caseless rounds, old guns need cartridge ammo
- If you carry an antique, you’ll probably have to reload your own
Polymer One-Shots
The ubiquitous “street gun”:
- Poor Quality Pistols made from polymer plastic
- 3D printed, available from vending machines
- Come in designer colors (the Cyberteen™ line has airbrushed artwork)
- Sold at Oasis convenience stores
- Cheap, disposable, unreliable—but functional
Player Tip
“Polymer one-shots” are Poor Quality Pistols mechanically. -1 to attack rolls, but they’re practically free and don’t require permits.
⚖️ Enforcement Reality
Who Actually Gets Arrested?
| Zone | Enforcement Level |
|---|---|
| Corporate zones | High—private security will check permits |
| Executive Zone | High—NCPD patrols actively |
| Generic residential | Medium—depends on the day |
| Combat Zones | None—NCPD doesn’t enter |
| Night Markets | None—that’s the whole point |
| Badlands | You’re on your own, choom |
Corporate Security
Corporations are extraterritorial—their buildings, their rules:
- Most require weapons checks at the door
- Corporate security is better equipped than NCPD
- They answer to no government
- See: Corporations
Practical Advice
For players trying to blend in:
- Handguns are normal — Everyone carries. A visible holster won’t raise eyebrows.
- Concealed is polite — In nicer areas, tucking your piece shows class.
- Long guns draw attention — Walking around with a rifle signals “I’m expecting trouble.”
- Full-auto = serious business — Only gangers, Solos, and corpos carry SMGs openly.
🎲 GM Resources
Using Weapon Laws in Play
- Leverage for Fixers: Getting a “clean” weapon (no connected serial number) costs extra
- Corporate heists: Weapon checks at doors force creative smuggling
- NCPD encounters: Carrying illegal weapons gives cops an excuse to hassle characters
- Combat Zone freedom: Part of why people live here—no one asks about your loadout
Random Weapon Encounters
| d6 | Encounter |
|---|---|
| 1 | NCPD checkpoint, checking permits in corporate zone |
| 2 | Corporate guard demands weapons check at building entrance |
| 3 | Street vendor selling polymer one-shots from a trenchcoat |
| 4 | Gang members openly carrying assault rifles—testing NCPD response? |
| 5 | Fixer offers “clean” weapon, 3x normal price |
| 6 | Someone recognizes your gun model—“Is that a Malorian?” |
đź”— Related Topics
- Night Markets — Where the weapons actually change hands
- Law and Order — How NCPD and MAX-TAC actually function
- Combat Zones — Where the rules don’t apply
- Fixers — Your connection to the black market
- Weapons — The gear itself
(Source: Cyberpunk RED Core Rulebook, pgs. 320-321)