What's happening
This bill adds ammunition to the list of items that convicted individuals are prohibited from purchasing or disposing of in New York.
Why it matters
Closes a legal loophole by explicitly banning convicted individuals from buying or receiving ammunition, not just guns. This change means that people barred from owning firearms due to felony convictions or other disqualifications would also be criminally liable if they purchase or are given ammunition.
Targets both buyers and sellers, making it a felony to knowingly provide ammunition to prohibited persons. The bill holds accountable not only those attempting to acquire ammunition unlawfully, but also anyone who knowingly supplies it to them.
Aligns ammunition restrictions with existing firearm possession laws, increasing potential penalties. By making the criminal purchase or disposal of ammunition a class D felony (the same as for weapons), it enhances the legal consequences and deterrent effect for violations.
May impact background check processes and enforcement efforts. Expanding the law’s scope could require ammunition sellers to be more vigilant and may necessitate additional checks or record-keeping to ensure compliance, affecting both retailers and law enforcement operations.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Ammo for Some Offenders
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
19 Co-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.
Ban Ammo for Felons
In Senate Committee · Codes · Sponsor Toby Ann Stavisky
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
8575
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
September 13, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. PAULIN, ABINANTI, WEPRIN, ZEBROWSKI, BUCHWALD, GALEF, GOTTFRIED, GRIFFIN, JAFFEE, OTIS, RAMOS, STECK, THIELE, McDO- NOUGH -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. ENGLEBRIGHT -- read once and referred to the Committee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the penal law, in relation to adding ammunition to the list of prohibited items to purchase or dispose of after certain convictions
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 265.17 of the penal law, as amended by chapter 1 of the laws of 2013, is amended to read as follows: § 265.17 Criminal purchase or disposal of a weapon or ammunition.
A person is guilty of criminal purchase or disposal of a weapon or ammunition when:
1. Knowing that he or she is prohibited by law from possessing a firearm, rifle [or], shotgun or ammunition because of a prior conviction or because of some other disability which would render him or her ineligible to lawfully possess a firearm, rifle [or], shotgun or ammunition in this state, such person purchases a firearm, rifle [or], shotgun or ammunition from another person; or
2. Knowing that it would be unlawful for another person to possess a firearm, rifle [or], shotgun or ammunition, he or she purchases a firearm, rifle [or], shotgun or ammunition for, on behalf of, or for the use of such other person; or
3. Knowing that another person is prohibited by law from possessing a firearm, rifle [or], shotgun or ammunition because of a prior conviction or because of some other disability which would render him or her ineligible to lawfully possess a firearm, rifle [or], shotgun or ammunition in this state, a person disposes of a firearm, rifle [or], shotgun or ammunition to such other person.
Criminal purchase or disposal of a weapon or ammunition is a class D felony.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13646-01-9
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.