What's happening
This bill adds ammunition to the list of items that people with certain convictions are prohibited from purchasing or disposing of.
Why it matters
Closes a major loophole. by making it illegal for people with certain convictions or legal disabilities to buy or dispose of ammunition, not just firearms—helping address the risk posed by access to ammunition even without gun possession.
Expands criminal liability. to those who knowingly purchase or transfer ammunition on behalf of prohibited individuals, mirroring existing rules for firearms and potentially deterring straw purchases.
Aligns ammunition with firearms regulation. under state law, reflecting the idea that controlling ammunition access is a critical component of preventing gun violence and misuse by ineligible individuals.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Ammo for Felons
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to codes
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 43–15
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.796
- Referred to codes
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to codes
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 50–12
Show 4 earlier actions
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.500
- 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 Convicted Offenders
In Assembly Committee · Codes · Sponsor Amy Paulin
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
626
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
Introduced by Sen. STAVISKY -- 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 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 or because of some other disability which would render [him or her] such
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01042-01-5
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.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
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
Purpose or general idea of bill
To prevent "straw purchases" of ammunition.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1, Amends Section 265.17 of the penal law, as amended by chapter 1 of the laws of 2013, by adding ammunition to the crime of criminal purchase or disposal of a weapon. A person would be guilty of the crimi- nal purchase or disposal of ammunition when: knowing that they are legally prohibited from possessing ammunition, such person purchases ammunition; or when knowing that it would be unlawful for another person to possess ammunition, he or she purchases ammunition for, on behalf of, or for the use of such other person.
Section 2. Sets forth the effective date.
Justification
Currently, a person is guilty of the criminal purchase or disposal of a weapon when knowing that it would be unlawful for another person to possess a firearm, rifle or shotgun, he or she purchases a firearm, rifle or shotgun for, on behalf of, or for the use of such other person-known as a "straw purchase." This section also makes it illegal for an individual to purchase a weapon when they know that they are legally prohibited from possessing it.
Since New York 1aw requires that an individual pass a background check to purchase ammunition, this section of the Penal Law should be amended to include ammunition in addition to firearms, rifles and shotguns.
In the recent mass shooting in Dayton, Ohio, a friend of the shooter allegedly purchased the ammunition used. This highlights the need to update our state's law to prevent ammunition from ending up in the wrong hands
Prior legislative history
2019-2020: A.8575/S.7299 - Referred Codes.
2021-2022: A.383/S.3545 Referred Codes.
2023-2024: A659/S1892 - Rtred to Codes.
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.