What's happening
This bill adds ammunition to the list of items that people with certain convictions are prohibited from buying or disposing of in New York.
Why it matters
Closes a loophole. By adding ammunition to the list of prohibited items, this bill ensures that individuals who cannot legally possess firearms due to convictions or outstanding warrants are also barred from obtaining or transferring ammunition, making the law more comprehensive.
Targets straw purchases. The bill makes it a felony not only to buy ammunition for oneself if prohibited, but also to buy or dispose of ammunition on behalf of someone else who is banned, aiming to disrupt common ways people circumvent existing gun control laws.
Increases legal consequences. Violation of these provisions, whether involving firearms or ammunition, is classified as a class D felony—escalating the seriousness of prosecution and potential penalties for those who break the law.
Aligns state law with public safety goals. By treating ammunition on par with firearms and related components, the bill aims to further prevent potentially dangerous individuals from gaining access to the means to use firearms, thereby supporting broader efforts to reduce gun violence.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Ammo for Convicted Offenders
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
10 Co-sponsors
1 Multi-sponsor
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 Assembly Committee · Codes · Sponsor Toby Ann Stavisky
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
202
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY (Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
Introduced by M. of A. PAULIN, WEPRIN, OTIS, RAMOS, STECK, McDONOUGH, SAYEGH, ROSENTHAL, JACOBSON, SEAWRIGHT -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. BUTTENSCHON -- 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 236 of the laws of 2021, 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] such 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] such person ineligible to lawfully possess a firearm, rifle [or], shotgun or ammunition in this state, or knowing that [he or she] such person is the subject of an outstanding warrant of arrest issued upon the alleged commission of a felony or serious offense, such person purchases or otherwise acquires 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, or knowing that another person is the subject of an outstanding warrant of arrest issued upon the alleged commission of a felony or serious offense, [he or she] such person purchases or otherwise acquires 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
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01042-01-5
or because of some other disability which would render [him or her] such other person ineligible to lawfully possess a firearm, rifle [or], shotgun or ammunition in this state, or knowing that another person is the subject of an outstanding warrant of arrest issued upon the alleged commission of a felony or serious offense, 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.
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.