What's happening
The bill allows certain security professionals, including private investigators and armored car guards, to possess large capacity ammunition feeding devices while performing official duties.
Why it matters
Expands legal exceptions for high-capacity magazines. By allowing specific security professionals to possess large capacity ammunition feeding devices, the bill carves out a new legal exception to New York’s generally strict gun and magazine laws, which could influence how security operations are staffed and equipped.
Impacts public and private security practices. Private investigators, armored car guards, and security agency employees may be able to use more potent firearms while on duty, potentially enhancing their ability to respond to threats but also raising questions about oversight, training, and liability.
Affects gun policy debates and enforcement. This carve-out may set a precedent for future exceptions to firearm restrictions, shaping ongoing discussions about who should have access to high-capacity magazines and under what circumstances.
Raises questions of oversight and authorization. The bill allows possession “when duly authorized by regulation or order,” meaning additional rules or agencies will decide who qualifies and under what conditions, making the implementation and oversight framework an important area to watch.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Allow Large Magazines for Guards
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
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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.
Allow High-Capacity Magazines for Guards
In Assembly Committee · Codes · Sponsor Clifford Crouch
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
715
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by Sen. GALLIVAN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the penal law, in relation to large capacity ammunition feeding devices
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 2-a to read as follows:
2-a. Possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device by private investigators, bail enforcement agents, watch, guard, or patrol agency employees, special armed guards and armored car guards in pursuit of their official duties or when duly authorized by regulation or order to possess the same.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first of November next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02737-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the penal law, in relation to large capacity ammunition feeding devices
Purpose
This legislation would allow private investigators, bail enforcement agents, watch, guard or patrol agency employees, special armed guards and armored car guards to possess a large capacity ammunition feeding device in pursuit of their official duties or when they are authorized by regulation or order.
Summary of provisions
Section 1. Amends subdivision (a) of section 265.20 of the penal law by adding a new paragraph that permits possession of a large capacity ammu- nition feeding device by private investigators, bail enforcement agents, watch, guard or patrol agency employees, special armed guards and armored car guards in pursuit of their duties or when they are author- ized by regulation or order.
Section 2. Establishes the effective date.
Justification
Under New York State Law licensed private investigators, bail enforce- ment agents, watch, guard or patrol agency employees as well as regis- tered special armed guards and armored car guards are restricted from possessing a device that can carry more than seven rounds of ammunition, which is inconsistent with the authority afforded to various other law enforcement or quasi-law enforcement personnel.
In recognition of the safety and security hazards present within these professions, the authority vested, pursuant to this legislation, would provide added protections, thereby enhancing the safety and security of both the identified professionals and the public at large.
Legislative history
2017-18: S.2517/A.9572 Referred to Codes/Referred to Codes 2015-16: S.7288 Referred to Codes
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the first of November succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.