What's happening
This bill expands the definition of "gun show" to include more types of events and transactions involving firearms in New York.
Why it matters
Broadens regulation to cover more events. By expanding the definition of "gun show" to include public auctions, flea markets, and garage sales where guns are offered, the bill brings these informal or community-based sales under the same regulatory scrutiny as traditional gun shows.
Covers more types of transactions. The inclusion of "transfer or exchange"—not just "sale"—means that even if firearms are not being sold for money, but simply swapped or given away, these transactions are now subject to gun show laws.
Sets specific thresholds for regulation. The bill clarifies that events with as few as ten firearm exhibitors, or where at least 25 handguns or 50 long guns are present, will be regulated as gun shows, closing potential loopholes for smaller but still significant gatherings.
Could increase oversight and compliance burdens. Organizers of events that previously would not have been classified as gun shows (like flea markets or garage sales) may now need to comply with background check requirements, registration, and other legal obligations, affecting both sellers and buyers.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Expand Gun Show Definition
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
2326
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 13, 2017
Introduced by Sen. ALCANTARA -- 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 sale of guns at certain types of events
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 895 of the general business law, as added by chapter 189 of the laws of 2000, is amended to read as follows:
1. "Gun show" means an event [sponsored, whether for profit or not, by an individual, national, state or local organization, association or other entity devoted to the collection, competitive use, sporting use, or any other legal use of firearms, rifles or shotguns, or an event] at which (a) twenty percent or more of the total number of exhibitors are firearm exhibitors or (b) ten or more firearm exhibitors are participating or (c) a total of twenty-five or more pistols or revolvers are offered for sale [or], transfer or exchange or (d) a total of fifty or more firearms, rifles or shotguns are offered for sale [or], transfer or exchange or (e) a public auction, flea market or garage sale is held and firearms, rifles or shotguns are offered for sale, transfer or exchange. The term gun show shall include any building, structure or facility where firearms, rifles or shotguns are offered for sale [or], transfer or exchange and any grounds used in connection with the event.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06941-01-7
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 sale of guns at certain types of events
Purpose or general idea of bill
To clarify that an "exchange" of firearms is similar to a sale or transfer of firearms and to limit the term "gun show" to certain venues.
Summary of specific provisions
Section one amends subdivision 1 of section 895 of the general business law, as amended by chapter 189 of the laws of 2000, by amending the definition of "gun show."
Section 2 provides the effective date.
Justification
Realizing that guns are often offered for exchange as well as for sale or transfer in a range of places, this bill adds the word "exchange" to the current statute. Clarifying the term "gun show" will attempt to address the cases in which the court will have to determine whether or not the sale or transfer of firearms that takes place in a variety of venues constitutes a gun show. Additionally, in the event that firearms, rifles or shotguns are offered for sale, transfer or exchange at a public auction, flea market or garage sale, these venues shall also be considered a gun show.
Prior legislative history
2008 - A.1272 (Referred to Insurance, Reference Changed to Economic Development) 2007 - A.1272 (Referred to Insurance)
Fiscal implication
None to the state.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.