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 type.
Why it matters
Expands criminal liability for dealers. The bill broadens the law so firearm dealers can face felony charges for selling ammunition to anyone not authorized to possess the corresponding weapon—no longer just for pistol or revolver ammo, but for ammunition for any type of firearm.
Tougher penalties. Violations of this specific provision are elevated from a misdemeanor to a class E felony, meaning dealers face significantly harsher consequences, including potential prison time and long-term impacts on their ability to do business.
Intended to close loopholes. By removing language that limited the restriction to pistol or revolver ammunition, the bill addresses concerns that people could acquire ammunition for rifles or other firearms even if they weren’t legally allowed to own those weapons, aiming to reduce illegal gun use and enhance public safety.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Limit Ammunition Sales Access
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
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 Ammo Sales to Owners
In Assembly Committee · Codes · Sponsor Jo Anne Simon
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1193
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 6, 2017
Introduced by Sen. PERSAUD -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed 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.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the penal law, in relation to the sale of ammunition
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill would prohibit the sale of ammunition to any person not authorized to possess such a weapon, regardless of type.
Summary of specific provisions
New York Penal Law Section 270.00 (5) prohibits dealers in firearms from selling ammunition designed exclusively for use in a pistol or revolver to anyone not authorized to possess such a weapon. Section one of this bill would extend that prohibition to ammunition designed for use in any weapon.
Section two provides that this act shall take effect immediately.
Justification
This bill is designed to keep ammunition out of the hands of unlicensed users and to prevent the illegal trafficking of ammunition. Regulating ammunition is an often overlooked aspect of gun safety legislation. Bullets give a firearm its lethality. While dealers are currently prohibited from selling ammunition for pistols or revolvers to anyone not authorized to possess such a weapon, no such prohibition exists for assault or other weapons. Persons seeking ammunition may purchase it for any weapon other than pistols or revolvers whether or not that person owns a weapon. This provision would extend the current provision regarding handguns to all weapons. This bill would ensure that ammunition is sold only to those authorized to possess the weapons for which they seek ammunition.
Prior legislative history
None
Fiscal implications to state and local government
None
Effective date
Immediately
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.