What's happening
This bill prohibits firearms from being offered or given as prizes in any game of chance in New York.
Why it matters
Eliminates a pathway for potentially unregulated firearm transfers. By banning firearms as prizes, the bill closes a loophole that could allow individuals to obtain guns without the background checks and protocols typically required for firearm sales.
Directly addresses concerns about gun safety at public events. Many games of chance occur at community fairs, fundraising events, and similar gatherings; this law would prevent firearms from being distributed in settings that might lack proper security or oversight.
Aligns the regulation of firearms with that of other restricted items. Alcoholic beverages are already prohibited as prizes, and this bill puts firearms in the same category, reflecting their potential risks and the need for responsible distribution.
Responds to public debate about gun violence and access. By specifically targeting the practice of awarding guns as prizes, the bill addresses a controversial issue and signals legislative intent to reduce casual or unintended access to firearms.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Guns as Prizes
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
26 Co-sponsors
- Phil Steck
- Michael G. Miller
- Al Taylor
- Nily Rozic
- Clyde Vanel
- Ellen C. Jaffee
- Marcos Crespo
- Jeffrey Dinowitz
- Robert C. Carroll
- Inez E. Dickens
- Felix Ortiz
- William Colton
- Walter T. Mosley
- Anthony D'Urso
- Richard Gottfried
- Charles Barron
- Jose Rivera
- Deborah Glick
- Vivian Cook
- Michael Blake
- Luis R. Sepúlveda
- Christine Pellegrino
- Charles Lavine
- Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn
- Alicia Hyndman
- Patricia Fahy
2 Multi-sponsors
History
- Referred to racing and wagering
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
10091
IN ASSEMBLY
March 14, 2018
Introduced by M. of A. SIMON -- read once and referred to the Committee on Racing and Wagering
AN ACT to amend the general municipal law, in relation to prohibiting firearms as prizes in any game of chance
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 2 of section 195-d of the general municipal law, as amended by section 13 of part MM of chapter 59 of the laws of 2017, is amended to read as follows:
2. With the exception of bell jars, coin boards, seal cards, merchandise boards and raffles, every winner shall be determined and every prize shall be awarded and delivered within the same calendar day as that upon which the game was played. No alcoholic beverage or firearm, as defined in section 265.00 of the penal law, shall be offered or given as a prize in any game of chance.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD15039-01-8
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.