NY: May Legislative Update

Last week, multiple gun bills advanced in the State Senate, either coming out of Committee or advancing on to third reading. In this case, a majority of the bills moving forward are anti-gun.

As always, the coalition of anti-gunners in the New York legislature are trying their hardest to erode your Second Amendment rights. We need you to send a message to your legislators ASAP to outline that their 2A infringements are unwelcome.

The list of bills can be seen below:

• NY S 4277 – A complete ban on 50 caliber firearms AND forcible buyback for current 50. caliber firearm owners. This bill advanced to third reading on May 22nd.
• NY S 3385 – A mandatory safe storage bill. This bill advanced to third reading on May 22nd.
• NY S 399 – Would ban any semi-automatic pistol that COULD be converted into a machine gun upon the installation of a ‘pistol converter.’ This legislation is specifically targeting firearms made by Glock and would outright ban the future sale of their pistols on the idea that they are simply capable of receiving fire-rate altering devices. This bill advanced to third reading on May 22nd.
• NY S 362 – Establishes a 10 day waiting period for the purchase of any firearm. This bill advanced to third reading on May 22nd.
• NY A 544 – Requires police officers to take temporary custody of firearms when responding to reports of family violence. As always, these bills are infringements on due process rights. This bill was amended on third reading in the Assembly on May 21st.
• NY A 1191 – Allows the division of criminal justice services to certify the technological viability of “personalized handguns” and to establish requirements related to the sale of “personalized handguns.” (Personalized handguns referring to pistols or revolvers that could be programmed to function only when activated by the firearm’s lawful owner or other authorized user.) This bill has passed the Assembly and was referred to the Senate Finance Committee on May 14th.
• A 8406 – Expands powers to seize firearms in cases involving domestic violence and protection orders. A 8406 allows local criminal courts to issue orders to seize firearms even when family courts are not in session. This is a violation of due process rights as gun owners subject to such orders could lose their firearms without their day in court. This bill was referred to the Assembly Codes Committee on May 13th.
• S 1985 – Requires police officers to take temporary custody of firearms when responding to reports of family violence. Similar to the bill above, this violates due process rights. This bill passed the Senate and was referred to the Assembly Government Operations Committee on May 13th.

New York’s Legislature is scheduled to adjourn on June 12th, so it’s important that we maintain pressure against these bills. Using the form above, send a message to your legislator to defend the Second Amendment!