A10307: Proposed Law Would Notify Police of Firearm Purchase Denials

Assembly Bill A10307, introduced on February 20, 2026 by Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, would require the New York State Police to notify local law enforcement agencies and prosecutors within 24 hours whenever a federally prohibited person is denied a firearm purchase -- including persons prohibited under 18 U.S.C. section 922(g) (convicted felons, domestic violence misdemeanants, persons under qualifying restraining orders, adjudicated mental defectives, and other categories of prohibited persons) and persons subject to outstanding felony arrest warrants under 18 U.S.C. section 922(n). The bill reached Third Reading in the Assembly the week of April 23, 2026.^[1]

What the Bill Would Do

A10307 amends Executive Law Section 228, which currently requires the State Police to report denied purchasers to the NICS denied persons file. The bill adds a new subdivision 2-a requiring the Division of State Police, within 24 hours of filing that federal report, to also notify two additional entities: (1) the local law enforcement agency having jurisdiction over the location where the prohibited person attempted to acquire the firearm, and (2) the local prosecutor with jurisdiction over that same location. Upon receiving such a notification, the local law enforcement agency would be required to investigate within five business days.

How Current Law Works

Under federal law (18 U.S.C. sec. 922(g) and (n)), certain categories of persons are prohibited from possessing or receiving firearms, including those convicted of felonies, domestic violence misdemeanants, and persons subject to qualifying restraining orders. When a federally licensed dealer runs a NICS background check and the system returns a denial, that denial is reported to the FBI's Index of denied persons. However, no existing New York law creates a direct pipeline from those denials to the local police precinct or district attorney's office nearest to the attempted purchase. A10307 closes that gap.^[2]

Policy Context

Proponents of denied-buyer notification laws argue that a firearm purchase denial is itself evidence of a potential crime: a prohibited person attempting to buy a gun through a dealer has either lied on federal Form 4473 or been identified as prohibited. Federal prosecutions for illegal purchase attempts (18 U.S.C. sec. 922(a)(6)) are rare. State-level follow-up investigations vary widely by jurisdiction. Supporters contend that local notification would improve enforcement against straw purchases and attempts by prohibited persons to arm themselves. Critics of similar laws in other states have raised concerns about overburdening local law enforcement with mandatory investigation timelines. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment if signed.

Legislative Status

A10307 was introduced in February 2026 and referred to the Committee on Codes. The bill reached Third Reading in the Assembly the week of April 23, 2026. It has not passed the full Assembly, has not been taken up by the Senate, and has not been signed into law.