S.4277: Proposed .50 Caliber Firearm Ban

What the Bill Would Do

Senate Bill S.4277, titled the "50 Caliber Threat Reduction Act," proposes to amend the Penal Law and the Executive Law to prohibit the possession, sale, and use of certain .50 caliber firearms in New York.^[1] The bill was introduced by Senator Brian Kavanagh on February 3, 2025.

Definition of ".50 Caliber Weapon"

Under S.4277, a ".50 caliber weapon" would generally include a rifle capable of firing a center-fire cartridge of .50 caliber or greater, including a metric equivalent, or a rifle capable of firing a projectile with muzzle energy of 12,000 foot-pounds or greater. Copies or duplicates meeting the energy threshold would also be covered. The bill lists exclusions for permanently inoperable weapons, qualifying antiques, specified registered weapons, certain weapons at least fifty years old, and muzzle-loading rifles or shotguns with rifled bores.^[2]

Legislative Findings

The bill's legislative findings declare that .50 caliber or larger weapons "having the capacity for rapidly discharging ammunition have no acceptable purpose and pose such an imminent threat and danger to the safety and security of the people of this state that it is necessary to ban the possession and use of such weapons."^[3] Proponents argue that .50 caliber rifles can defeat body armor and light armored vehicles and have an effective range exceeding one mile.

Buyback and Registration Provisions

S.4277 directs the Division of State Police to establish a buyback program under which persons who lawfully possess .50 caliber weapons before the effective date may be reimbursed at fair market value upon surrendering their firearms to a designated law enforcement officer. Alternatively, current owners may register their .50 caliber weapons with the Superintendent of State Police within one year of the law's effective date.^[4] The registration requirement parallels the approach New York took with assault weapons under the SAFE Act, which required existing owners to register by a specified deadline.

Companion Bill and Status

The companion Assembly bill is A.8853.^[5] S.4277 advanced to third reading in the Senate on May 22, 2025 but did not reach a floor vote before the session ended. The bill was re-referred to the Senate Codes committee on January 7, 2026, and remains under active consideration in the 2025-2026 session.^[7] Gun Owners of America has formally opposed the bill, arguing that it targets firearms that are rarely used in crimes and that the ban would face a Second Amendment challenge under the Bruen framework.^[6] California Penal Code Section 30530 defines ".50 BMG rifle," while separate sections impose restrictions on manufacture, transfer, and possession.^[8][9] S.4277 would use a broader proposed definition that also includes the 12,000-foot-pound energy threshold. The New York bill has not been signed into law and remains in the Senate Codes committee.