What's happening
This bill creates a new felony offense for knowingly trafficking firearms that are stolen, used in crimes, defaced, or have altered serial numbers.
Why it matters
Targets a key supply route for illegal firearms. By specifically criminalizing the trafficking of guns that are stolen, used in crimes, defaced, or have altered serial numbers, the bill aims to cut off pathways that feed illegal gun markets, making it harder for prohibited or dangerous firearms to circulate.
Raises stakes for traffickers. Classifying this conduct as a class D felony means that those caught knowingly dealing in these types of firearms face serious criminal penalties, which could serve as a deterrent and increase prosecution leverage.
Addresses several forms of gun crime. The law isn’t just about stolen guns—it also tackles guns used in crimes, those with altered serial numbers (which are difficult to trace), and defaced firearms, covering multiple tactics used by traffickers to evade law enforcement.
Potentially improves public safety and law enforcement capability. By directly targeting the movement and sale of the most problematic firearms, the legislation may help reduce gun violence and give law enforcement clearer authority to intervene in trafficking operations.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Illegal Gun Trafficking
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to codes
- Referred to codes
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
803
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 4, 2017
Introduced by Sen. ALCANTARA -- 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 prohibition of illegal gun trafficking
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The penal law is amended by adding a new section 265.50 to read as follows: § 265.50 Illegal gun trafficking.
A person is guilty of illegal gun trafficking when he or she knowingly and intentionally distributes, transports, ships, receives, barters, purchases or sells any firearm which has:
1. been used during the commission of a crime;
2. been stolen;
3. had the importer's or manufacturer's serial number removed, obliterated or altered; or
4. been defaced.
Illegal gun trafficking is a class D felony.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00028-01-7
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 prohibition of illegal gun trafficking
Purpose or general idea of bill
To increase penalties for illegal gun trafficking.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 of the bill would amend the penal law to add a new section 265.50, which would specify that a person is guilty of illegal gun trafficking. when such a person knowingly and intentionally distributes, transports, ships, receives, barters, purchases, or sells a firearm that has: been used during the commission of a crime; been stolen; had the importer's or manufacturer's serial number removed, obliterated or altered; or been defaced. Illegal gun trafficking would be a class D felony.
Section 2 of the bill sets forth the effective date.
Justification
This law will help keep guns out of the hands of criminals and will assist law enforcement officials in making our neighborhoods safe.
Prior legislative history
2015-2016: Referred to Codes 2010:A.02936(Benjamin)-Codes 2009:A.02938(Benjamin)-Codes 2008;A.11845(Benjamin)-Codes
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth 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.