What's happening
This bill prohibits possession of concealed firearms in national parks and wildlife refuges in New York, with limited exceptions.
Why it matters
Aims to enhance public safety and reduce risks. By prohibiting concealed firearms in national parks and wildlife refuges, the bill seeks to lower the chances of accidental or intentional shootings, accidents, or confrontations in areas frequented by families, children, and outdoor enthusiasts.
Potentially impacts gun owners’ rights and routines. Concealed carry permit holders would need to be aware of and comply with new restrictions, possibly altering travel plans or requiring secure storage of firearms before entering these protected areas.
Specific carve-outs reflect compromise and practicality. Exceptions for legal hunting activities and residents living within park or refuge boundaries acknowledge traditional uses and private property rights, while still maintaining the overall prohibition.
Enforcement relies on civil, not criminal, penalties. The use of civil fines (up to $1,000) rather than criminal charges indicates a focus on deterrence and compliance rather than criminalization, which may affect how the law is enforced and perceived.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Guns in National Parks
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Multi-sponsor
History
- Referred to tourism, parks, arts and sports development
- Referred to tourism, parks, arts and sports development
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.
Ban Guns in National Parks
In Senate Committee · Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks And Recreation · Sponsor José M. Serrano
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2775
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 23, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. ENGLEBRIGHT, PAULIN, JAFFEE, O'DONNELL, HOOPER, ROSENTHAL -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. GLICK -- read once and referred to the Committee on Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development
AN ACT to amend the parks, recreation and historic preservation law, in relation to prohibiting the possession of concealed firearms in national parks and national wildlife refuge systems
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Legislative findings. The legislature hereby finds that the national parks and national wildlife refuge systems in the state are attractive places for citizens of all ages to safely enjoy the benefits of healthy and safe outdoor activity. The legislature further finds that the presence of concealed firearms in national parks and national wildlife refuge systems represents an unnecessary threat, whether intentional or unintentional, to the health and safety of citizens invited to enjoy these public recreational opportunities as well as the wildlife preserved within such recreation areas. Therefore, it is the purpose of the legislature to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public and prohibit the possession of a concealed firearm in all national parks and national wildlife refuge systems, except as specifically provided by law.
§ 2. The parks, recreation and historic preservation law is amended by adding a new section 13.32 to read as follows:
§ 13.32 Prohibition of concealed firearms in national parks and national wildlife refuge systems. 1. Except as provided in this section and otherwise specifically permitted in law, no person, other than a member of a federal, state or municipal law enforcement agency authorized to carry a concealed firearm, shall introduce or possess, either upon his or her person or within a vehicle or other place of storage,
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03679-01-7
A. 2775 2
any concealed firearm in any national park or national wildlife refuge system.
2. The prohibition in subdivision one of this section shall not apply:
(a) to the extent the firearm is used in connection with hunting where authorized by state and federal law; and
(b) to privately owned residences within any national park or national wildlife refuge system.
3. A violation of the provisions of this section shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed one thousand dollars.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the first of November next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
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.