What's happening
This bill provides a tax credit for New York residents who purchase a gun safe, covering up to half the cost, capped at $500.
Why it matters
Encourages Safe Gun Storage. By offsetting the cost of purchasing a gun safe, the bill incentivizes responsible firearm storage, which can help reduce accidental shootings, thefts, and unauthorized access, especially in homes with children.
Direct Financial Relief for Residents. The tax credit puts money back into the pockets of New York residents who choose to secure their firearms, making safety upgrades more affordable and accessible to a wider range of income levels.
Potential Public Safety Impact. Increased use of gun safes could contribute to broader community safety goals, such as lowering rates of gun-related accidents and potentially limiting the supply of stolen firearms used in crimes.
Defines Eligible Equipment. The law provides a clear definition of what constitutes a "gun safe," ensuring that only purchases of secure, lockable storage units qualify—preventing misuse of the tax credit for less secure options.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Gun Safe Tax Credit
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Print number 191a
- Amend and recommit to investigations and government operations
- Referred to investigations and government operations
- Referred to investigations and government operations
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.
Tax Credit for Gun Safes
In Assembly Committee · Ways And Means · Sponsor Carrie Woerner
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
191--A
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 4, 2017
Introduced by Sens. MARCHIONE, GALLIVAN, HELMING, LITTLE, RANZENHOFER, RITCHIE, SEWARD, TEDISCO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Investigations and Government Operations -- recommitted to the Committee on Investigations and Government Operations in accordance with Senate Rule 6, sec. 8 -committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the tax law, in relation to providing a tax credit for the cost of purchasing a gun safe
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 606 of the tax law is amended by adding a new subsection (ccc) to read as follows:
(ccc) Home defense tax credit. A resident taxpayer who purchases a gun safe on or after January fifteenth, two thousand thirteen shall be allowed a credit against the tax otherwise imposed under this article in an amount equal to one-half of the cost of such gun safe up to a maximum of five hundred dollars. As used in this subsection, "gun safe" means a cabinet of metal or other sufficiently durable material equipped with a key or combination lock designed to securely store rifles, shotguns or handguns.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately and shall apply to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2018.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02972-02-8
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the tax law, in relation to providing a tax credit for the cost of purchasing a gun safe
Purpose
To make more affordable the purchase of gun safes.
Summary of provisions
Section one amends Section 606 of the Tax Law by adding a new subsection (ccc) which names this tax credit the Home Defense Tax Credit. It provides a refundable tax credit in an amount equal to twenty-five percent of the cost of a gun safe up to a maximum credit of two hundred fifty dollars purchased by a resident taxpayer on or after January 15, 2013. "Gun safe" is also defined.
Section two makes such tax credit applicable to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2018.
Existing law
Currently, there is no tax credit for the purchase of a gun safe.
Justification
The Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States enshrines the right of the people to keep and bear arms, which is America's first freedom and vital to the preservation of personal liberty. The use of a gun safe for the proper storage of firearms can help safeguard homeown- ers and their families, while also ensuring that a firearm is quickly and safely accessible in the event it is required for personal protection or home defense. The provision of a state tax credit to offset the costs of purchasing a gun safe is a responsible public policy solution to promote the responsible storage of firearms, the maintenance of a firearm for the defense of home and family, and also to preserve the Second Amendment Constitutional rights of New Yorkers to keep and bear arms.
Legislative history
S5221A of 2013 referred to Investigations and Gov. Operations; S5221B of 2014 referred to Investigations and Gov. Operations; S2454 of 2016 referred to Investigations and Gov. Ops.
Fiscal implications
There would be increased revenue generated in New York's economy by additional sales of gun safes. Local economies will benefit as those who purchased gun safes will receive their tax credits and provide local stimulus. This tax credit "would reduce revenue to the State by $2.0 million in SFY 2015-16 and 7.7 million annually in subsequent fiscal years." (Fiscal Note 3/24/15 Department of Taxation & Finance)
Effective date
Immediately, and shall apply to years beginning 2018.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.