What's happening
This bill removes "thumbhole stocks" from the features that define an assault weapon under New York penal law.
Why it matters
Altering the definition of "assault weapon" under New York law may impact which firearms are subject to regulation and registration requirements, potentially affecting gun owners, dealers, and law enforcement.
By removing "thumbhole stocks" from the list of features that classify a firearm as an assault weapon, the bill could make certain rifles and shotguns legal for purchase and ownership that were previously banned or restricted.
The change may influence the design and marketing of firearms in New York, as manufacturers and sellers could offer more models featuring thumbhole stocks without falling under assault weapon restrictions.
This adjustment could also play a role in ongoing debates about gun control, as it narrows the scope of what is considered an assault weapon, possibly drawing both support from gun rights advocates and criticism from gun safety proponents.
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Who cares
Owners of semiautomatic rifles and shotguns
A thumbhole stock alone would no longer make their firearm an assault weapon under the amended rifle and shotgun definitions.
Firearms dealers and manufacturers
The bill would narrow the assault-weapon criteria for semiautomatic rifles and shotguns by removing thumbhole stocks while retaining the other listed features.
Police and prosecutors
They would apply revised definitions that no longer count thumbhole stocks as a qualifying feature for semiautomatic rifles and shotguns.
Headline styles
Redefine Assault Weapons Law
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Held for consideration in codes
- Referred to codes
- Referred to codes
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4979
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 6, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. DiPIETRO -- read once and referred to the Committee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the penal law, in relation to the definition of assault weapon
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraphs (a) and (b) of subdivision 22 of section 265.00 of the penal law, as added by chapter 1 of the laws of 2013, are amended to read as follows:
(a) a semiautomatic rifle that has an ability to accept a detachable magazine and has at least one of the following characteristics:
(i) a folding or telescoping stock;
(ii) a pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon;
(iii) [a thumbhole stock;
(iv)] a second handgrip or a protruding grip that can be held by the non-trigger hand;
[(v)] (iv) a bayonet mount;
[(vi)] (v) a flash suppressor, muzzle break, muzzle compensator, or threaded barrel designed to accommodate a flash suppressor, muzzle break, or muzzle compensator;
[(vii)] (vi) a grenade launcher; or
(b) a semiautomatic shotgun that has at least one of the following characteristics:
(i) a folding or telescoping stock;
(ii) [a thumbhole stock;
(iii)] a second handgrip or a protruding grip that can be held by the non-trigger hand;
[(iv)] (iii) a fixed magazine capacity in excess of seven rounds;
[(v)] (iv) an ability to accept a detachable magazine; or
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07627-01-9
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.