What's happening
This bill requires all gun owners in New York to securely store rifles, shotguns, and firearms, expanding safe storage requirements.
Why it matters
Broader safe storage rules. The bill expands safe storage requirements to all gun owners, regardless of whether they live with someone prohibited from possessing firearms, aiming to prevent unauthorized access by anyone, including children or burglars.
Potential for increased enforcement. By removing exceptions and specific references to federal prohibitions or timing of convictions, more gun owners may be held accountable for unsafe storage, potentially leading to more prosecutions and a stronger deterrent effect.
Uniform statewide standard. The legislation creates a single, clear rule for safe storage across New York, though it still allows localities to enact stricter requirements, possibly reducing confusion and patchwork enforcement.
Public safety rationale. Supporters argue that requiring secure storage for all firearms could help reduce accidental shootings, firearm theft, and misuse—especially in households with children or vulnerable individuals.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Require Safe Gun Storage
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
4 Co-sponsors
3 Multi-sponsors
History
- Referred to codes
- Referred to codes
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
457
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 9, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. ABINANTI, JAFFEE, PAULIN, MOSLEY, STECK -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. COOK, GLICK, GOTTFRIED -- read once and referred to the Committee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the penal law, in relation to the safe storage of rifles, shotguns, and firearms
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 265.45 of the penal law, as amended by section 3 of part FF of chapter 57 of the laws of 2013, is amended to read as follows: § 265.45 Safe storage of rifles, shotguns, and firearms.
No person who owns or is custodian of a rifle, shotgun or firearm [who resides with an individual who such person knows or has reason to know is prohibited from possessing a firearm pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) (1), (4), (8) or (9)] shall store or otherwise leave such rifle, shotgun or firearm out of his or her immediate possession or control without having first securely locked such rifle, shotgun or firearm in an appropriate safe storage depository or rendered it incapable of being fired by use of a gun locking device appropriate to that weapon. For purposes of this section "safe storage depository" shall mean a safe or other secure container which, when locked, is incapable of being opened without the key, combination or other unlocking mechanism and is capable of preventing an unauthorized person from obtaining access to and possession of the weapon contained therein. [With respect to a person who is prohibited from possessing a firearm pursuant to 18 USC § 922(g)(9), for purposes of this section, this section applies only if such person has been convicted of a crime included in subdivision one of section 370.15 of the criminal procedure law and such gun is possessed within five years from the later of the date of conviction or completion of sentence.] Nothing in this section shall be deemed to affect, impair or supersede any special or local act relating to the safe storage of
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03282-01-7
A. 457 2
rifles, shotguns or firearms which impose additional requirements on the owner or custodian of such weapons.
A violation of this section shall constitute a class A misdemeanor.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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.