What's happening
This bill increases penalties for possessing and using a weapon to commit another crime in public transit stations or vehicles.
Why it matters
Targets crime in transit. By specifically increasing penalties for weapon possession and use during another crime in subways, rail stations, and buses, the bill aims to deter armed offenses in places where many people rely on daily transportation and may feel especially vulnerable.
Expands prosecutorial options. The bill creates a new, more serious third-degree weapon possession charge that could apply even if the underlying weapon offense would have been considered less severe (fourth degree) outside of transit environments—potentially leading to longer sentences.
Addresses public safety concerns. With recent concerns about crime on public transit, this measure responds directly to public worries, aiming to reassure commuters and transit workers that stronger legal tools are in place to address and prevent violence.
Impacts a wide range of conduct. The bill covers not just the actual use of a weapon, but also attempts to use, broadening the scope of what could trigger the enhanced penalty and making it easier for prosecutors to bring serious charges in ambiguous cases.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Toughen Transit Weapon Laws
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Referred to codes
- Referred to codes
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4881
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 5, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. COOK -- read once and referred to the Committee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the penal law, in relation to criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 265.02 of the penal law is amended by adding a new subdivision 4 to read as follows:
(4) Such person commits the crime of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree as defined in subdivision one, two or four of section 265.01 of this article, when situated in a subway station, railroad station or terminal, or bus station or terminal, or on a subway train, railroad train, or bus operated by a mass transit provider, public or private, and such person uses or attempts to use such weapon in the commission of another criminal act in such subway station, railroad station or terminal, or bus station or terminal, or on such subway train, railroad train or bus; or
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first of November next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08040-01-9
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.