What's happening
This bill makes it a felony for firearm dealers to sell ammunition to anyone not authorized to possess the corresponding weapon, regardless of weapon type.
Why it matters
Broadens criminal liability for dealers. The bill expands criminal penalties for firearm dealers, making it a felony to sell ammunition to anyone not legally allowed to possess the corresponding weapon, applying this regardless of weapon type (not just pistols or revolvers). This raises the stakes for dealers to strictly verify purchasers’ legal status.
Potential impact on ammunition access. By requiring dealers to confirm a buyer’s authorization for any weapon type before selling ammunition, the law could significantly restrict access for individuals who might have previously purchased ammo for unauthorized firearms, possibly reducing illegal or unintended uses.
Increases legal consequences. The change elevates the penalty from a misdemeanor to a class E felony for violations involving ammunition sales, meaning convicted dealers could face more severe legal and professional repercussions, including longer prison terms and loss of business licenses.
Implications for recordkeeping and enforcement. Dealers may need to implement stricter verification, documentation, and compliance procedures to avoid felony charges, likely affecting day-to-day operations and potentially raising costs or slowing down transactions.
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Who cares
Firearms dealers
The bill would broaden the ban on ammunition sales to unauthorized possessors beyond ammunition designed exclusively for pistols or revolvers and make violations a class E felony rather than a class B misdemeanor.
Ammunition buyers
Buyers would need authorization to possess the weapon for which they seek ammunition from a firearms dealer, regardless of weapon type.
Prosecutors and defense attorneys
The bill would raise unlawful ammunition sales by firearms dealers from a misdemeanor to a felony, changing the stakes in those cases.
Headline styles
Limit Ammo Sales to Owners
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
10 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred 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.
Limit Ammunition Sales Access
In Senate Committee · Codes · Sponsor Roxanne J. Persaud
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1298
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 11, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. SIMON, JAFFEE, GOTTFRIED, MOSLEY, LAVINE, RICH- ARDSON, ABINANTI, BICHOTTE -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. COOK, GLICK, HYNDMAN, RAMOS, TITONE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the penal law, in relation to the sale of ammunition
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 5 of section 270.00 of the penal law, as amended by chapter 180 of the laws of 1997, is amended to read as follows:
5. Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision four of this section, it shall be unlawful for any dealer in firearms to sell any ammunition [designed exclusively for use in a pistol or revolver] to any person, not authorized to possess [a pistol or revolver] such weapon, regardless of type.
6. The violation of this section shall constitute a class B misdemeanor, except the violation of subdivision five of this section shall constitute a class E felony.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00799-01-7
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.