What's happening
This bill allows eligible pistol license applicants in Chautauqua County to handle law enforcement-owned handguns during police-supervised safety courses.
Why it matters
Addresses a Catch-22 for Applicants. The bill solves the issue where pistol license applicants, who must demonstrate safe handling, are currently unable to legally touch a handgun before being licensed—making it possible for applicants to learn and show proper use under police supervision.
Strict Oversight and Local Choice. The law applies only in Chautauqua County, and only if the county chooses by local law to require such a course, giving local governments control and ensuring courses are tailored to local needs.
Enhanced Safety and Training Standards. All eligible applicants must use law enforcement-owned handguns, under direct police supervision, in courses that are approved and periodically reviewed by the State Police Superintendent, ensuring strict safety and instructional standards.
Limits on Delegation and Commercialization. Only law enforcement agencies can run these training courses—no private entities or third parties can be assigned this role—helping maintain public trust and prevent commercial misuse.
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Who cares
Chautauqua County pistol license applicants
Applicants who appear eligible could possess an agency-owned pistol or revolver during police-supervised training if the county requires the course by local law.
Chautauqua County lawmakers
The possession exemption would apply only if the county adopts a local law requiring the course before a pistol license may be issued.
Local law enforcement agencies
Agencies conducting the course would have to use their own firearms and training facilities, provide police supervision and keep course operations in-house rather than delegate them to third parties.
New York State Police superintendent
The superintendent would have to approve courses, periodically review compliance and issue rules governing their operation.
Headline styles
Allow Guns for Training Course
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Held for consideration in codes
- Referred to codes
- Referred to codes
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5422
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 12, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. GOODELL -- read once and referred to the Committee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the penal law, in relation to authorizing the possession in the county of Chautauqua of a pistol or revolver while attending a firearms familiarity, safety, loading and firing course conducted by a law enforcement agency; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision a of section 265.20 of the penal law is amended by adding a new paragraph 7-g to read as follows:
7-g. Possession of a pistol or revolver by a person who has applied to the appropriate licensing officer in Chautauqua county for a license to possess a pistol or revolver and who appears to be eligible to receive such license pursuant to subdivision one of section 400.00 of this chapter and where such possession is: (i) of a pistol or revolver owned by a local law enforcement agency; and (ii) at a firearms training facility operated by such agency while under the supervision, guidance and instruction of a police officer during a firearms familiarity, safety, loading and firing course conducted by such agency; provided, however, that this paragraph shall only apply in Chautauqua county and only where such county opts by local law to require such a course before a person may be issued a license pursuant to section 400.00 of this chapter. Prior to a course being conducted by a law enforcement agency pursuant to this paragraph, such course shall be approved by the superintendent of the state police and shall be periodically reviewed by the superintendent for compliance with applicable rules and regulations. Any course conducted pursuant to this paragraph shall only be operated by a law enforcement agency and shall not be delegated or assigned to any third party persons or entities. The superintendent of the state police shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to effectuate the
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04025-01-9
A. 5422 2
purposes of this paragraph including standards for the operation of a firearms familiarity, safety, loading and firing course. Nothing in this paragraph shall be read to require approval of the superintendent of the state police for any firearms safety course operated by law enforcement or third party individuals or entities that does not include the handling, loading or firing of a pistol or revolver.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law, and shall expire and be deemed repealed June 1, 2022.
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.