What's happening
This bill allows people who have applied for a pistol license to possess a pistol or revolver during certified pre-license safety courses under instructor supervision.
Why it matters
Enables hands-on safety training for pistol license applicants. By allowing applicants to handle pistols or revolvers during certified courses, the bill addresses a common gap in firearms education, potentially improving real-world safety and competence before full licensure.
Includes important safeguards. Only applicants who haven’t been denied a license, convicted of a felony or serious offense, or deemed a danger to themselves or others are eligible. This aims to balance access to training with public safety concerns.
Mandates instructor supervision and documentation. The bill requires that all possession occurs under the direct oversight of a certified firearms instructor, who must verify the applicant’s suitability and provide detailed information to authorities, ensuring accountability throughout the training process.
Adds a structured review process for exemptions. Local police and licensing officers are required to investigate and decide on exemption requests promptly, and can revoke the exemption if new disqualifying information arises. This ongoing review helps limit risks during the pre-license training phase.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Allow Guns in Safety Classes
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 45
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.
Allow Guns at Safety Courses
In Assembly Committee · Codes · Sponsor Carrie Woerner
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
135
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 4, 2017
Introduced by Sen. LITTLE -- 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 authorizing the possession of a pistol or revolver while attending a pre-license firearms safety course
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 of a pistol or revolver by a person who has applied for a license to possess a pistol or revolver and pre-license possession of same pursuant to section 400.00 of this chapter, who has not been previously denied a license, been previously convicted of a felony or serious offense, and who does not appear to be, or pose a threat to be, a danger to himself, herself or to others, and who has been approved for possession in accordance with section 400.00 of this chapter; provided that such possession shall be of a pistol or revolver duly licensed to and shall be possessed under the supervision, guidance and instruction of a certified firearms safety course instructor, and provided further that such possession occurs during the course of a certified pre-license firearms safety course in which such person is enrolled.
§ 2. Paragraph (b) of subdivision 3 of section 400.00 of the penal law, as added by chapter 778 of the laws of 1985, is amended to read as follows:
(b) Application for an exemption under paragraph seven-b or seven-g of subdivision a of section 265.20 of this chapter. Each applicant desiring to obtain the exemption set forth in paragraph seven-b or seven-g of subdivision a of section 265.20 of this chapter shall make such request in writing of the licensing officer with whom his or her application for a license is filed, at the time of filing such application. Such request
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00308-01-7
S. 135 2
shall include a signed and verified statement by the person authorized to instruct and supervise the applicant, that has met with the applicant and that he or she has determined that, in his or her judgment, said applicant does not appear to be or poses a threat to be, a danger to himself, herself or to others. He or she shall include a copy of his or her certificate as an instructor in small arms, if he or she is required to be certified, and state his or her address and telephone number. He or she shall specify the exact location by name, address and telephone number where such instruction will take place. Such licensing officer shall, no later than ten business days after such filing, request the duly constituted police authorities of the locality where such application is made to investigate and ascertain any previous criminal record of the applicant pursuant to subdivision four of this section. Upon completion of this investigation, the police authority shall report the results to the licensing officer without unnecessary delay. The licensing officer shall no later than ten business days after the receipt of such investigation, determine if the applicant has been previously denied a license, been convicted of a felony, or been convicted of a serious offense, and either approve or disapprove the applicant for exemption purposes based upon such determinations. If the applicant is approved for the exemption, the licensing officer shall notify the appropriate duly constituted police authorities and the applicant. Such exemption shall terminate if the application for the license is denied, or at any earlier time based upon any information obtained by the licensing officer or the appropriate police authorities which would cause the license to be denied. The applicant and appropriate police authorities shall be notified of any such terminations.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.
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 authorizing the possession of a pistol or revolver while attending a pre-license firearms safety course
Purpose
To allow individuals who have applied for a license to possess a pistol or revolver and who are enrolled in a certified pre-licensed firearms safety course under the supervision, guidance and instruction from a certified firearms safety course instructor, to handle a firearm during the course of the class.
Summary of provisions
Section 1- adds a new paragraph 7-g to subdivision a of section 265.20 of the penal law to read as follows: possession of a pistol or revolver by a person who has applied for a license to possess a pistol or revolver and pre-license possession of same pursuant to section 400.00 of this chapter, who has not been previously denied a license, been previously convicted of a felony or serious offense, and who does not appear to be, or pose a threat to be a danger to himself, herself or to others, and who has been approved for possession in accordance with section 400.0 of this chapter; provided that such possession shall be of a pistol or revolver duly licensed to and shall be possessed under the supervision, guidance and instruction of a certified firearms safety course instructor, and provided further that such possession occurs during the course of a certified pre-license firearms safety course in which such person is enrolled.
Section 2- Amends paragraph (b) of subdivision 3 of section 400.00 of the penal law, as added by chapter 778 of the laws of 1985 to reference the new paragraph 7-g contained in section 1 of this act.
Section 3- Contains the effective date.
Existing law
Section 265.20 of the penal law does not permit any individual applying for a pistol or revolver permit to handle such firearm prior to obtaining a license.
Justification
The current law does not allow for what the safety course was originally planned for allowing the certified instructor to watch how the applicants handles and acts when holding a handgun. How can a certified firearm safety course instructor accurately judge if someone who has applied for a permit will safely handle a handgun. It illegal for the applicant to handle a handgun in the presence of that instructor. Permitting an individual to handle a handgun during the safety course will give the instructor additional criteria in judging whether that person is prepared for the responsibility of owning a handgun.
Legislative history
2015-16: S.1341 Referred to Codes; A.9777 Referred to Codes 2014: S.993A Codes 2013: S.993 Codes 2011-12: S.135 Codes 2009-10: S.282 Codes 2008: S.6923 Codes FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :
None
Local fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.