What's happening
This bill bans the manufacture, sale, and possession of undetectable firearms, receivers, and magazines in New York.
Why it matters
Addresses advancements in digital manufacturing. The bill responds to the rise of technologies like 3D printing and CNC milling, which can produce firearms and components that evade detection by traditional security systems.
Targets “ghost guns” and untraceable parts. By banning undetectable receivers and magazines—especially those made by unlicensed individuals—the law aims to close loopholes that allow for the creation and possession of untraceable, unserialized firearms.
Updates legal definitions and enforcement. The bill clarifies what constitutes an “undetectable” firearm or component, using standards based on metal detection and x-ray imaging, ensuring law enforcement has updated criteria for prosecution.
Carries significant penalties and military carve-out. Violators face felony charges, signaling the seriousness with which New York treats undetectable firearms, but there is an explicit exemption for weapons made for U.S. military or intelligence purposes, acknowledging national security needs.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Undetectable Ghost Guns
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
14 Co-sponsors
1 Multi-sponsor
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.
Ban Undetectable Firearms
In Senate Committee · Codes · Sponsor Kevin S. Parker
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
451
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. ABINANTI -- read once and referred to the Committee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the penal law, in relation to a ban on undetectable firearms, undetectable firearm receivers and undetectable ammunition magazines
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Short title. This act shall be known as the "undetectable firearms act".
§ 2. Findings. The legislature finds that:
(1) Federal Bureau of Investigation data shows that more than fiftyseven percent of the murders that occurred in New York state in 2011 were perpetrated with a firearm;
(2) digital manufacturing technologies, including computer numerical control mills, 3-dimensional printers and laser cutting machines are quickly advancing so that they may soon be used to fabricate fully operational firearm components; and
(3) some commercially available digital manufacturing technologies can manufacture these components using materials that cannot be detected by traditional metal detectors or x-ray imaging machines.
§ 3. The penal law is amended by adding a new section 265.50 to read as follows: § 265.50 Ban on undetectable firearms, undetectable firearm receivers
and undetectable ammunition magazines.
1. It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly manufacture, import, sell, ship, deliver, transfer, receive or possess:
(a) any firearm:
(i) that, after removal of grips, stocks and magazines, is not detectable by walk-through metal detectors; or
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04884-01-9
A. 451 2
(ii) any major component of which does not generate an image that accurately depicts the shape of the component when subjected to inspection by the types of x-ray machines commonly used at airports; or
(b) any receiver for a rifle or handgun manufactured by a person who is not a licensed manufacturer:
(i) that is not detectable as a rifle or handgun by walk-through metal detectors; or
(ii) which does not generate an image that accurately depicts the shape of the receiver when subjected to inspection by the types of x-ray machines commonly used at airports; or
(c) any ammunition magazine manufactured by a person who is not a licensed manufacturer:
(i) that, after removal of the spring and follower, is not detectable by walk-through metal detectors; or
(ii) which does not generate an image that accurately depicts the shape of the magazine when subjected to inspection by the types of x-ray machines commonly used at airports.
2. For the purposes of this section:
(a) the term "firearm" does not include the frame or receiver of any such weapon; and
(b) the term "major component" of a firearm means the barrel, the slide or cylinder, or the frame or receiver of the firearm.
3. This section shall not apply to any firearm which has been certified by an agency of the United States as necessary for military intelligence applications and is manufactured for and sold exclusively to military or intelligence agencies of the United States.
4. A person who violates the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a class E felony.
§ 4. The New York state police shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary for the implementation of this act.
§ 5. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.
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.