What's happening
This bill limits individuals in New York to purchasing only one rifle or shotgun every ninety days, with exceptions for law enforcement.
Why it matters
Aims to reduce illegal gun trafficking. by making it harder for individuals to buy multiple rifles or shotguns in a short period, which is a common tactic for “straw purchasers” who supply firearms to the illegal market.
May affect law-abiding gun owners’ purchasing habits. , as hunters, collectors, or sport shooters wishing to buy more than one rifle or shotgun within ninety days would need to plan purchases further in advance or adjust their buying practices.
Creates stricter penalties for violations. , making it a class A misdemeanor if a dealer knowingly violates the one-per-ninety-days rule, signaling a significant legal consequence and potential deterrent effect.
Exempts law enforcement and public agencies. , so police officers and federal law enforcement, as well as official government business, are not restricted by this limitation, ensuring their access to firearms for professional use is not impeded.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Limit Gun Purchases Quarterly
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to consumer protection
- Referred to consumer protection
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2240
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 23, 2019
Introduced by Sen. SANDERS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Consumer Protection
AN ACT to amend the general business law, in relation to limiting the acquisition of a rifle or shotgun to one per ninety-day period
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Legislative findings. The legislature hereby finds and declares that although many illegal guns are obtained outside of New York state, existing laws governing gun sellers should be strengthened to prevent the diversion of guns to the illegal marketplace. The legislature finds that it is imperative that additional protections be implemented to ensure that New York state continues to lead the way in preventing gun violence.
§ 2. Subdivision 6 of section 898 of the general business law, as added by chapter 1 of the laws of 2013, is amended to read as follows:
6. a. No dealer in rifles and shotguns shall: (i) sell more than one rifle or shotgun to any individual as part of the same sales transaction; or (ii) sell a rifle or shotgun to any individual if the dealer knows or should know that such individual has purchased a firearm, rifle or shotgun within the prior ninety days.
b. The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to the sale of firearms, rifles or shotguns to a police officer, as such term is defined in section 1.20 of the criminal procedure law, or to a federal law enforcement officer, as such term is defined in section 2.15 of the criminal procedure law, or to a public agency in furtherance of official business.
7. Any person who knowingly violates the provisions of this article shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor punishable as provided for in the penal law.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05437-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the general business law, in relation to limiting the acquisition of a rifle or shotgun to one per ninety-day period
Purpose
To strengthen laws in the state to prevent diversion of guns to the illegal marketplace.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 states the legislative findings.
Section 2 amends subdivision 6 of section 898 of the general business law providing no dealer shall sell more than one rifle or shotgun to any individual as part of the same transaction, or if the dealer knows or should know that such individual purchased a firearm, rifle, or shotgun within the prior ninety days. This provision does not apply to police officers, federal law enforcement officers or a public agency in furth- erance of official business.
Any person who violates the provisions of this article shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor.
Section 3 provides the act shall take effect on the one hundred eight- ieth day after it shall have become a law; provided however, that effec- tive immediately, the addition, amendment, or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act shall be made and completed on or before such effective date.
Existing law
None
Justification
Although many illegal guns obtained outside of New York state, existing laws governing gunsellers should be strengthened to prevent the diver- sion of guns to the illegal marketplace. It is imperative that addi- tional protections be implemented to ensure that New York state contin- ues to lead the way in preventing gun violence.
Legislative history
02/29/16 - Referred to Consumer Protection
Fiscal implications
None
Local fiscal implications
None
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law; provided however, that effective immediately, the addition, amendment, or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act shall be made and completed on or before such effective date.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.