S00743 (Chap. 114): Consumer Suicide Risk Warnings Now Required for Rifles and Shotguns

What the Law Does

Chapter 114 of the Laws of 2025 amends existing consumer warning requirements to include rifles and shotguns^[1]. New York previously required firearms dealers to provide written warnings about the risk of death or suicide in homes where handguns are present. S00743 extends this mandate to cover all firearms types — rifles and shotguns — closing a gap that exempted long guns from the warning requirement. The Assembly companion A00437 was substituted by S00743^[2].

The law is part of a broader public health approach to firearms policy in New York, reflecting data from the Centers for Disease Control showing that firearms are the most common method of suicide in the United States, and that long guns are involved in a significant share of firearm suicides, particularly in rural areas.

Current Status

Signed into law as Chapter 114 of the Laws of 2025. The law is now in effect.

What to Watch

The practical impact depends on the content and format of the warnings. Watch for DCJS or the Department of State to issue guidance on the specific language dealers must use. Retailers should confirm they are including the expanded warnings with every rifle and shotgun sale transaction.