What's happening
This bill prohibits the manufacture, sale, or distribution of firearms designed to look like everyday objects, such as pens or cellphones.
Why it matters
Addresses public safety concerns. by targeting firearms that are disguised as everyday items, which could be used to evade detection by law enforcement or security measures and potentially increase the risk of concealed weapon-related crimes.
Seeks to reduce confusion and accidental harm. , as firearms that resemble objects like pens or cellphones could be mistaken for harmless items by children, bystanders, or even police, leading to accidental shootings or tragic misunderstandings.
Creates clearer legal boundaries for manufacturers and sellers. by making it a misdemeanor to produce or distribute such disguised firearms, potentially discouraging the creation and spread of these deceptive weapons and clarifying enforcement for authorities.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Disguised Firearm Sales
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to consumer protection
- Referred to consumer protection
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1508
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 10, 2017
Introduced by Sen. AVELLA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Consumer Protection
AN ACT to amend the general business law, in relation to firearms designed to look like objects
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The general business law is amended by adding a new section 399-rr to read as follows:
§ 399-rr. Firearms designed to look like objects; prohibited. (a) No person, firm or corporation shall manufacture, import, sell, offer, give or lend a firearm designed to look like an object other than a firearm, including but not limited to, firearms designed to look like a pen or a cellphone.
(b) Any person, firm or corporation who knowingly violates any provisions of this section shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor punishable as provided for in the penal law.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01268-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the general business law, in relation to firearms designed to look like objects
Purpose or general idea of bill
The purpose of this legislation is to prohibit firearms that look like objects such as a cell phone or a pen.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1. Section 399-rr is added to the General Business Law, and reads as follows: Firearms designed to look like objects; prohibited. (a) No person, firm or corporation shall manufacture, import, sell, offer, give or lend a firearm designed to look like an object other than a firearm, including but not limited to, firearms designed to look like a pen or a cell phone. (b) Any person, firm or corporation who knowingly violates any provisions of this section shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor punishable as provided for in the Penal Law.
Section 2. Establishes the effective date.
Justification
While our Constitution permits the possession of firearms, a line must be drawn when a model is designed to resemble an object such as a pen or a phone. By appearing more as a toy or fashion accessory, these deadly weapons are trivialized. They are a threat to our citizens, and our law enforcement.
Prior legislative history
2016: A.9817-A (Galef) amend and recommit to consumer affairs and protection.
Fiscal implications
There are no fiscal implications connected with the passage of this legislation.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.