What's happening
This bill prohibits firearms from being offered as prizes in games of chance, except by veterans, volunteer firefighter, or police benevolent organizations.
Why it matters
Limits the availability of firearms as prizes to events run by trusted organizations. By restricting firearm prizes to raffles held by veterans, volunteer firefighters, or police benevolent associations, the bill aims to reduce the casual distribution of guns and ensure that only vetted, community-centered groups can offer them.
Addresses public safety concerns. Preventing the general public and commercial entities from offering firearms as prizes may reduce the risk that guns fall into the hands of people who might not otherwise pass background checks or receive proper safety instruction.
Reflects heightened scrutiny on gun giveaways. The bill responds to growing concerns about gun violence and the role of unregulated firearm transfers, signaling legislative intent to tighten oversight even in the context of charitable or recreational events.
Carves out a significant exception for certain organizations. By allowing specific groups with public service or law enforcement ties to continue offering firearms as prizes, the bill acknowledges longstanding traditions and fundraising practices, balancing safety with community interests.
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Who cares
Authorized game-of-chance organizations outside the exemptions
The bill would bar them from offering or giving firearms, as defined in Penal Law section 265.00, as prizes.
Veterans’ organizations
Bona fide veterans’ organizations would be exempt from the proposed firearm-prize ban.
Volunteer firefighter organizations
Bona fide volunteer firefighter organizations would remain eligible to offer firearm prizes under the bill’s exception.
Police benevolent associations
These associations would be exempt from the proposed ban on firearm prizes in games of chance.
Headline styles
Ban Guns as Raffle Prizes
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to racing, gaming and wagering
- Referred to rules
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6738
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
September 23, 2019
Introduced by Sen. GAUGHRAN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules
AN ACT to amend the general municipal law, in relation to prohibiting firearms as prizes in a game of chance not organized by an organization of veterans, volunteer firefighters or a police benevolent association
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 2 of section 195-d of the general municipal law, as amended by section 13 of part MM of chapter 59 of the laws of 2017, is amended to read as follows:
2. With the exception of bell jars, coin boards, seal cards, merchandise boards and raffles, every winner shall be determined and every prize shall be awarded and delivered within the same calendar day as that upon which the game was played. No alcoholic beverage shall be offered or given as a prize in any game of chance. No firearm, as defined in section 265.00 of the penal law, shall be offered or given as a prize in any game of chance unless the authorized organization is a bona fide organization of veterans, volunteer firefighters or a police benevolent association.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13825-01-9
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 municipal law, in relation to prohibiting firearms as prizes in a game of chance not organized by an organization of veterans, volunteer firefighters or a police benevo- lent association
Purpose or general idea of bill
Prohibiting the issuance of firearms as prizes in certain games of chance.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1. Subdivision 2 of section 195-d of the general municipal law is amended by section 13 of part MM of chapter 59 of the laws of 2017 by prohibiting organizations from raffling off firearms unless the raffle is organized by a bona fide organization of veterans, volunteer fire- fighters or a police benevolent association
Justification
Currently in New York State it is illegal to raffle off alcohol in a game of chance. However, no restrictions exist for the raffling of firearms, which has the potential to cause much more severe consequences in the form of mass casualties. This bill would prohibit the raffling of firearms except in limited circumstances where the raffle is held by a public protection entity and the revenue from the raffle is used for community services.
Prior legislative history
New Bill
Fiscal implications
None
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.