Authorizes possession of a rifle or shotgun at a shooting range by a person between the ages of ten and twelve under the immediate supervision of certain authorized persons

3 Co-sponsors

• Rich Funke
• William J. Larkin Jr.
• James L. Seward

BILL NUMBER:S991

Title of bill

An act to amend the penal law, in relation to possession of a rifle or shotgun at a shooting range by a person between the ages of ten and twelve

Purpose or general idea of bill

To reduce by two years the age at which one may participate in certain limited sport shooting safety programs.

Summary of specific provisions

Subdivision a. of Section 265.20 of the Penal Law is amended by adding a new paragraph 7-g.

Justification

Section 265.20(a)(7) of the Penal Law provides an exemption to a number of "criminal possession of weapon" statutes, allowing a person twelve years of age, among others, to possess, load, and fire any caliber rifle or shotgun when supervised by certain specified trained persons.

This bill would allow persons between ten and twelve years of age to possess any rifle or shotgun for instruction under certain, more limited and strictly regulated circumstances. These regulations include identifying the persons who may supervise and instruct, requiring that while the supervisor is instructing this person, he or she may not supervise any other person between the ages of ten and sixteen, and requiring that only one shell or cartridge may be loaded at a time.

This bill is introduced at the request of the Genesee County Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs to promote sporting activities within families and further promote safe and proper practices in gun handling and safety.

Prior legislative history

2011/2012 - S.3524 - CODES 2013/14 - S.2346-A -- CODES

Fiscal implications

This legislation has no fiscal implications.

Effective date

This act shall take effect sixty days after the date on which it shall have become law.