What's happening
This bill allows 11-year-olds to use single-shot .22 caliber rifles at approved shooting ranges under qualified adult supervision.
Why it matters
Expands youth access to firearms training. By allowing 11-year-olds to use single-shot .22 caliber rifles at qualifying ranges, the bill could increase early exposure to firearms safety education and recreational shooting sports for young people.
Establishes strict supervision requirements. The law specifies that only adults with recognized training (such as certified instructors, military officers, or Boy Scouts-certified staff) can supervise, potentially reducing risks by ensuring knowledgeable oversight.
Aligns with established safety standards. Shooting ranges must meet guidelines set by the Boy Scouts of America, which could help standardize and improve safety protocols for youth shooting activities.
Could impact gun safety debates. The measure may be seen as either promoting responsible gun use and education or raising concerns about the appropriateness of introducing firearms to preteens, depending on one’s perspective on youth gun access.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Let 11-Year-Olds Use Rifles
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
1 Multi-sponsor
History
- Held for consideration in codes
- Referred to codes
- Referred to codes
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4519
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 2, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. GOODELL -- read once and referred to the Committee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the penal law, in relation to lawful possession of weapons by persons eleven years of age
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision a of section 265.20 of the penal law is amended by adding a new paragraph 7-g to read as follows:
7-g. Possession and use, at an indoor or outdoor shooting range, the layout and operation of which conform to guidelines and operating standards established by the national council of the Boy Scouts of America, for the purpose of loading and firing of a single shot .22 caliber rifle, the propelling force of which is gunpowder, by a person eleven years of age who is under the immediate supervision, guidance and instruction of (a) a duly commissioned officer of the United States army, navy, marine corps, air force or coast guard, or of the national guard of the state of New York; or (b) a duly qualified adult citizen of the United States at least twenty-one years of age who (i) has been granted a certificate as a rifle instructor issued by the United States army, navy, marine corps, air force or coast guard, or by the adjutant general of this state, or by the national rifle association of America, a not-for-profit corporation duly organized under the laws of this state, or (ii) has been certified as a shooting sports director by a Boy Scouts of America national camping school.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first of November next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD09134-01-7
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.