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Who cares
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Sponsors
History
- Substituted by A9042A
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.386
- Print number 6483a
- Amend and recommit to codes
- Referred to codes
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Relates to the definitions of a switchblade knife and a gravity knife
Vetoed · Sponsor Dan Quart
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the penal law, in relation to the definitions of a switchblade knife and a gravity knife
Purpose or general idea of bill
To clarify the definitions of a switchblade knife and a gravity knife
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 amends subdivisions 4 and 5 of section 265.00 of the penal law to clarify the definitions of a switchblade knife and a gravity knife.
Section 2 sets the effective date.
Justification
The current definitions of a switchblade knife and a gravity knife are vague and dependent on an outdated understanding of knives used as weapons and knives that are used as tools. The knives that the Legislature intended to outlaw are very specific and very dangerous, but the current definitions are interpreted broadly and applied to many knives which have valuable uses as tools. Between 2003 and 2013, 60,000 New Yorkers were arrested for possession of these knives, making this one of the most-prosecuted crimes in New York City. The vast majority of those arrested had no criminal intent and believed that the common folding knives they carried were legal. These arrests and prosecutions do not contribute to public safety. Clarifying these definitions will prevent these arrests.
Prior legislative history
This is a new bill.
Fiscal implications
None
Effective date
Immediately
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.