What's happening
This bill requires that sentences for multiple felony convictions involving illegal firearms, rifles, or shotguns must run consecutively.
Why it matters
Significantly increases prison time for offenders. By requiring consecutive—not concurrent—sentences for multiple felony convictions involving illegal firearms, this bill ensures that individuals convicted on several charges will serve much longer periods behind bars.
Targets gun-related crime specifically. The bill singles out offenses involving illegal firearms, rifles, or shotguns, indicating a legislative focus on combating gun violence and illegal weapons possession.
Overrides judicial discretion. The "notwithstanding any other provision of law" language means judges will have no flexibility to impose concurrent sentences in these cases, removing their ability to consider individual circumstances or mitigating factors.
May impact plea deals and trial strategies. Prosecutors and defense attorneys may change their approach, knowing that multiple felony convictions involving illegal firearms will automatically result in stacked sentences, potentially reducing incentives for defendants to plead guilty to multiple counts.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Require Consecutive Gun Sentences
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to codes
- Referred to codes
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
152
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
Introduced by Sens. PALUMBO, BORRELLO, OBERACKER -- 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 consecutive terms of imprisonment
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 70.25 of the penal law is amended by adding a new subdivision 2-h to read as follows:
2-h. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, when a person is convicted of two or more felony counts and at least one of which is an offense defined in article two hundred sixty-five of this chapter involving the possession or use of an illegal firearm, rifle or shotgun, the sentences must run consecutively.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00587-01-5
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 consecutive terms of imprisonment
Purpose
When an offender commits two or more felonies and one involves possession or use of illegal firearm, this bill would require that the sentences run consecutively.
Summary of provisions
Section 1. Section 70.25 of the penal law is amended by adding a new subdivision 2-h. which requires a person convicted of two or more felony counts, including at least one offense defined in Article 265 of the penal law involving possession or use of an illegal firearm, rifle or shotgun, to receive consecutive sentences.
Section 2. Sets forth the effective date.
Justification
New York is facing a crisis of rising crime and violence, particularly gun violence committed with illegally obtained firearms. Despite New York having the most restrictive gun law in the nation impacting only law-abiding citizens, gun violence continues to plague our State and endanger our citizens. To address illegal gun crime, we must ensure that our criminal laws carry sentences for offenders charged with the possession and use of illegal firearms. This bill would ensure that our laws allow for adequate criminal penalties for such offenders.
Legislative history
2024 S.2051
Fiscal implications
None
Effective date
Immediately
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.