What's happening
This bill requires expedited and presumptive approval of firearm licenses for retired police officers who apply within 90 days of retirement.
Why it matters
Creates a fast-track process for retired police officers. The amendment ensures that retired officers who apply for a firearm license within 90 days of retirement must have their applications processed within 60 days, reducing bureaucratic delays compared to the standard six-month window for other applicants.
Eases approval through presumptive qualification. If the retired officer provides a certification or attestation from their former law enforcement agency confirming good standing, this is considered strong evidence of their fitness to possess and carry firearms, making denials less likely unless there is specific cause.
Grants broad statewide carry rights to approved retirees. Licenses issued under this provision allow retired officers to carry firearms in any county or city within New York State, expanding their lawful ability to carry beyond local jurisdictions.
Defines eligible “retired police officer” status. The bill specifies that only those who were police officers as outlined in criminal procedure law and who are immediately entitled to retirement benefits upon leaving the force qualify for this expedited process, limiting eligibility to those with an established service record and formal retirement.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Statewide Gun License for Retired Cops
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Multi-sponsors
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.
Statewide Gun Permits for Retired Police
In Senate Committee · Codes · Sponsor John E. Brooks
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4422
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 4, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. ZEBROWSKI, GALEF, BUCHWALD, WOERNER, STIRPE -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. GIGLIO, SCHIMMINGER -- read once and referred to the Committee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the penal law, in relation to licenses to carry and possess firearms for retired police officers
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 4-a of section 400.00 of the penal law, as added by chapter 233 of the laws of 1980, is amended to read as follows:
4-a. Processing of license applications. (a) Applications for licenses shall be accepted for processing by the licensing officer at the time of presentment. Except upon written notice to the applicant specifically stating the reasons for any delay, in each case the licensing officer shall act upon any application for a license pursuant to this section within six months of the date of presentment of such an application to the appropriate authority. Such delay may only be for good cause and with respect to the applicant. In acting upon an application, the licensing officer shall either deny the application for reasons specifically and concisely stated in writing or grant the application and issue the license applied for. Application by a retired police officer, who submits an application containing a certification or attestation from the law enforcement agency or department from which he or she retired in good standing, shall be presumptive evidence as to the fitness and qualification to carry and possess firearms. Provided, however, the application containing a certification or attestation must be filed with the licensing officer within ninety days of the police officer's date of retirement. The licensing authority with jurisdiction in the county or city having a population of less than one million, shall issue a license to carry and possess a pistol or revolver pursuant to this section within sixty days of a retired police officer appli-
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08801-01-9
A. 4422 2
cant's submission and such license shall authorize the licensee to carry and possess firearms in every county and city in this state.
(b) For the purposes of this section, "retired police officer" shall mean a former police officer, as defined in subdivision thirty-four of section 1.20 of the criminal procedure law, who upon separation from a law enforcement agency or department was immediately entitled to receive retirement benefits under the provisions of the retirement and social security law or the administrative code of the city of New York.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.