New York: Several Anti-Gun Bills to be Heard in the Assembly on Wednesday, April 29

On Monday, April 6, the Assembly Codes Committee passed the following anti-gun measures, which were sent to the Assembly Floor in preparation for “Anti-Gun” bill day in the Assembly that will take place on Wednesday, April 29. 

Assembly Bill 1093, sponsored by Assemblywoman Amy Paulin (D-88), would impose new requirements on federally licensed firearm retailers and require that they obtain insurance to cover criminal acts committed after the legal sale of a firearm.  The companion bill to AB1093, is Senate Bill 1715, sponsored by State Senator Eric Schneiderman (D-31).

Assembly Bill 1326, introduced by Assemblyman Steve Englebright (D-4), would mandate handguns be equipped with technology which would prevent them from being operated by children.  Such firearms would have to include traits that would make it impossible for “an average five year old” to use the gun.  For example, guns would have to have a ten pound trigger pull, altered firing mechanism, or “require a series of multiple motions in order to fire the pistol or revolver.”

Assembly Bill 2881, sponsored by State Assemblyman David Koon (D-135), would ban the possession and use of "frangible" ammunition.  The companion bill for AB2881 is Senate Bill 2379, sponsored by State Senator Frank Padavan (R-11). 

Assembly Bill 2882, also sponsored by Assemblyman Koon, requires that any expended projectiles, shell casings, or guns that comes into the possession of law enforcement be submitted to the state police pistol for testing and entry into an electronic ballistic database.

Assembly Bill 5844, authored by State Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg (D-20), would enact the "children's weapon accident prevention act" and creates crimes of failure to store a weapon safely and negligent storage.  The companion bill for AB5844 is Senate Bill 3098, sponsored by State Senator Eric Schneiderman (D-31).

In addition, the following two anti-gun measures are currently in the Assembly Codes Committee. Your lawmakers need to hear from you in order to stop this attack on our Second Amendment Rights, as it is very likely that these two bills will be heading to the Assembly Floor in time for “Anti-Gun” bill day as well.   

Assembly Bill 3211A, sponsored by State Assemblywoman Patricia Eddington (D-3), would prohibit the sale use or possession of .50 caliber firearms.

Assembly Bill 801A, sponsored by State Assemblywoman Amy Paulin (D-8) would directly target law-abiding pistol license holders by requiring that licenses be renewed every five years.  In addition, it would mandate that all applicants outside New York City complete training and a test before a license may be issued.  Keep in mind that a license is required in New York State simply to possess a handgun and in many cases licensees are only allowed to keep a handgun in their homes or businesses or to travel to and from the range.  This would mean that most qualified New Yorkers could be put through training and a test and still  be denied the right to carry a firearm for the purpose of self-defense.  If this proposal is approved, gun owners can expect that a process that is already unfair in most parts of the state will become more so.  Its companion bill is Senate Bill 1598, sponsored by State Senator Eric Schneiderman (D-31).

It is critical that you contact your lawmakers TODAY and respectfully urge them to OPPOSE these measures!  State Assembly Members can be reached by phone at (518) 455-4100.  To find your Assembly Member, please click here.  Your State Senator can be contacted through the Senate switchboard at (518) 455-2800.  To find your State Senator, please click here.