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News & Updates

Legislative updates, court decisions, and regulatory changes affecting New York firearms law.

Recent Articles

Proposed

A01191 / S01455: "Safer Weapons, Safer Homes Act" — Personalized Firearms Study

The Safer Weapons, Safer Homes Act would direct the Division of Criminal Justice Services to study the technological viability of personalized firearms — guns that can only be fired by an authorized user. Both chambers have amended their versions, signaling active negotiations.

Legislation
Who: The Division of Criminal Justice Services, firearms manufacturers, researchers, and the broader firearms policy communityReviewed Mar 18, 2026
Proposed

A07983: Prohibiting Ammunition Purchases After Failed Background Check or ERPO

Assembly Bill 7983 would prohibit the purchase of ammunition by any person who has failed a background check, is prohibited from purchasing firearms under federal law, or is subject to a temporary or extreme risk protection order (ERPO). The bill has advanced to third reading in the Assembly.

Legislation
Who: Ammunition retailers, persons subject to ERPOs or orders of protection, and any person who has failed a NICS background checkReviewed Mar 18, 2026
Proposed

A01962 / S03385: "Francesco's Law" Safe Storage Expansion Near Floor Vote

Francesco's Law would expand New York's safe storage requirements, establishing violations for failure to safely store rifles, shotguns, and firearms in the presence of a minor or prohibited person, and directing the Office of Gun Violence Prevention to collect data on child injuries and deaths from unsecured firearms.

Legislation
Who: All firearm owners in New York who live with or have contact with minors or prohibited persons, and the Office of Gun Violence PreventionReviewed Mar 19, 2026
Proposed

S00362: Ten-Day Firearm Waiting Period Advances to Senate Floor

Senate Bill 362 would establish a 10-day waiting period for the purchase of any firearm in New York. The bill has advanced to third reading in the Senate — one step from a floor vote.

Legislation
Who: All firearm purchasers in New York, licensed firearms dealers, and persons seeking to acquire handguns, rifles, or shotgunsReviewed Mar 18, 2026
Enacted

Governor Hochul's 2026 3D-Printed Firearms Proposals

Governor Hochul announced five proposals in January 2026 to restrict 3D-printed firearms in New York, targeting printer safety standards, digital printing files, and machine-gun conversion.

Legislation
Who: 3D printer manufacturers, retailers, and users; firearms manufacturers; law enforcement agencies in New YorkReviewed Jun 4, 2026
Proposed

S.4277: Proposed .50 Caliber Firearm Ban

Senate Bill S.4277, the "50 Caliber Threat Reduction Act," would prohibit the possession of .50 caliber and larger firearms in New York and establish a buyback program for current owners.

Legislation
Who: All owners and prospective purchasers of .50 caliber firearms in New YorkReviewed Mar 15, 2026
Proposed

S.362: Proposed 10-Day Waiting Period for Firearm Purchases

Senate Bill S.362 would establish a mandatory 10-business-day waiting period before any firearm may be delivered to a purchaser in New York. The bill passed the Senate in June 2025 and has been reintroduced in the 2025-2026 session.

Legislation
Who: All prospective firearm purchasers and licensed dealers in New YorkReviewed Apr 28, 2026
Effective

Governor Hochul's 2024 Gun Safety Package: Six Bills Explained

Governor Hochul signed six gun safety bills into law in October 2024, addressing pistol converters, dealer safety warnings, credit card merchant codes, red flag law improvements, and gun buyback procedures.

Legislation
Who: All New York firearms owners, licensed dealers, and credit card companies operating in the stateReviewed Mar 13, 2026
Proposed

S08411 (Vetoed): AG Access to Criminal Gun Clearinghouse Blocked by Governor

Senate Bill 8411, which would have required the Superintendent of State Police to provide the Attorney General with direct, real-time access to the criminal gun clearinghouse, was vetoed by Governor Hochul on October 16, 2025.

Legislation
Who: The Attorney General's office, the Division of State Police, and investigations involving illegal firearms traffickingReviewed Mar 18, 2026
Effective

S01985 (Chap. 466): Police Must Hold Firearms for 120 Hours in Domestic Violence Responses

Signed into law on October 16, 2025, Senate Bill 1985 requires police officers responding to reports of family violence to take temporary custody of firearms for not less than 120 hours (five days), creating a mandatory cooling-off period.

Legislation
Who: Law enforcement officers responding to domestic violence calls, persons involved in domestic violence incidents who possess firearms, and domestic violence victimsReviewed Mar 18, 2026
Effective

A03005 (Chap. 55): 2025-2026 Budget Establishes NY Office of Gun Violence Prevention

The 2025-2026 state budget bill, signed as Chapter 55 of the Laws of 2025, includes Part MM establishing the New York State Office of Gun Violence Prevention — a permanent state agency dedicated to coordinating gun violence reduction efforts.

Legislation
Who: State agencies involved in public safety, community-based violence intervention programs, gun violence researchers, and communities disproportionately affected by firearm violenceReviewed Mar 18, 2026
Effective

S00745 (Chap. 116): Ammunition Dealers Excluded from Firearm Merchant Category Code Requirements

Signed into law on April 3, 2025, Senate Bill 745 removes ammunition dealers from provisions requiring payment card networks to use a specific merchant category code (MCC) for firearm merchants, addressing concerns that ammunition-only retailers were unintentionally captured by the tracking mandate.

Legislation
Who: Ammunition dealers and retailers, payment card networks, and consumers purchasing ammunition in New YorkReviewed Mar 18, 2026