What's happening
This bill makes it unlawful for anyone under 21 to possess firearms or ammunition, with exceptions for licensed hunters.
Why it matters
Raises the minimum age for firearm and ammunition possession from 16 to 21. , except for licensed hunters, significantly expanding age-based restrictions and potentially impacting young adults' access to firearms for non-hunting purposes.
Expands the category of prohibited items to include not just firearms, but also ammunition, loaded or blank cartridges, and weapons capable of firing them,. making the law broader in scope and potentially affecting recreational shooting, sport, and self-defense options for those under 21.
Treats violations differently based on age. Those under 18 found in violation would be adjudicated as juvenile delinquents, while those 18-20 would face a violation (a lower-level criminal offense), which may have implications for criminal records and future opportunities for young adults.
Exemption for hunting license holders ensures continued youth participation in regulated hunting,. balancing public safety concerns with traditional sporting activities, but could create new administrative burdens to prove eligibility and compliance.
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Who cares
Gun owners ages 18–20
The bill would make possession of rifles, shotguns, firearms and covered ammunition a violation, subject to applicable exemptions.
People under 18
Violations of the new possession prohibition would result in juvenile delinquency adjudication rather than treatment as a violation.
Hunting license and permit holders under 21
The bill would exempt their possession of rifles, shotguns and ammunition when used in accordance with the Environmental Conservation Law.
Police and prosecutors
The bill would create a new under-21 possession offense and make it subject to the exemptions in Penal Law section 265.20(a).
Headline styles
Ban Guns for Under-21s
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to codes
- Referred to codes
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
346
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY (Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
Introduced by M. of A. PAULIN -- read once and referred to the Committee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the penal law, in relation to establishing the offense of unlawful possession of firearms by persons under twenty-one
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 265.05 of the penal law, as amended by chapter 56 of the laws of 1985, is amended to read as follows: § 265.05 Unlawful possession of weapons by persons under sixteen.
It shall be unlawful for any person under the age of sixteen to possess any air-gun, spring-gun or other instrument or weapon in which the propelling force is a spring or air[, or any gun or any instrument or weapon in or upon which any loaded or blank cartridges may be used, or any loaded or blank cartridges or ammunition therefor,] or any dangerous knife; provided that the possession of rifle or shotgun or ammunition therefor by the holder of a hunting license or permit issued pursuant to article eleven of the environmental conservation law and used in accordance with said law shall not be governed by this section.
A person who violates the provisions of this section shall be adjudged a juvenile delinquent.
§ 2. The penal law is amended by adding a new section 265.05-a to read as follows: § 265.05-a Unlawful possession of firearms by persons under twenty-one.
It shall be unlawful for any person under the age of twenty-one to possess any rifle, shotgun, or firearm as defined in section 265.00 of this article, or any gun or any instrument or weapon in or upon which any loaded or blank cartridges may be used, or any loaded or blank cartridges or ammunition therefor, provided that the possession of a rifle or shotgun or ammunition therefor by the holder of a hunting license or permit issued pursuant to article eleven of the environmental
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01008-01-5
conservation law and used in accordance with said law shall not be governed by this section.
Unlawful possession of firearms by persons under twenty-one is a violation; provided that a person under the age of eighteen who violates the provisions of this section shall be adjudged a juvenile delinquent.
§ 3. The opening paragraph of subdivision a of section 265.20 of the penal law, as separately amended by chapters 130 and 134 of the laws of 2019, is amended to read as follows:
Paragraph (h) of subdivision twenty-two of section 265.00 and sections 265.01, 265.01-a, 265.01-b, 265-01-c, 265.02, 265.03, 265.04, 265.05, 265.05-a, 265.10, 265.11, 265.12, 265.13, 265.15, [265.36,] 265.37, 265.50, 265.55 and 270.05 shall not apply to:
§ 4. 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.