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A07885 Summary:

BILL NOA07885
 
SAME ASSAME AS S01701
 
SPONSORCunningham
 
COSPNSR
 
MLTSPNSR
 
Amd §265.01, add §400.15, Pen L
 
Requires persons possessing any firearm to hold a firearms safety certificate; establishes application and training process therefor; makes technical corrections.
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A07885 Memo:

NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY
MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION
submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
 
BILL NUMBER: A7885
 
SPONSOR: Cunningham
  TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the penal law, in relation to requiring persons possess- ing a firearm to hold a firearms safety certificate; and to provide technical corrections to such law   PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:: To increase compliance with existing firearms laws by requiring gun owners to demonstrate knowledge of those laws and to reduce the number of unintentional shootings by ensuring that gun owners know how to safe- ly use and store firearms'   SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:: Section 1 establishes a firearms safety certificate requirement and who is obligated. Section 2 describes the firearms safety certificate and states that no person shall possess a firearm unless such person holds a firearms safe- ty certificate issued pursuant to this section. The application require- ments are described. The successful completion of a course of instruc- tion by the applicant shall include: (a) 5+ hours of classroom instruction on the safe use and handling of firearms, methods for safely storing firearms and keeping children safe when weapons are present, and applicable laws relating to the purchase, sale, possession, transporta- tion, and storage of firearms; (b) 2+ hours of live firing instruction at a shooting range using the type of firearm the applicant anticipates purchasing, possessing, or acquiring; and (c) a safe-handling of a firearm demonstration as attested by a duly authorized instructor. The course must be approved by the sheriff of the county in which the applicant resides or the commissioner of NYPD in NYC. Every firearms safety certificate is valid for a period of 2 years, and may be renewed. The certificate is non-transferable. Revocation conditions and exemptions are described. Section 3 states that this act will take effect on the first of January next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law. The act shall only apply to any person who already possesses a firearm on the effective date of this act when such person recertifies their license.   DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORIGINAL AND AMENDED VERSION (IF APPLICABLE): N/A   JUSTIFICATION:: Handgun safety is a priority for New Yorkers, and gun accidents involv- ing children are especially disturbing. Studies show that easy.access to loaded handguns in homes is a major cause of accidental shootings of children. While there may be no way to guarantee safety, handgun owners can take steps to prevent many accidental shootings. This legislation will provide people who possess firearms with valuable information to help them become safe and responsible handgun owners. The intent of the legislation is to ensure that persons who obtain firearms have a basic familiarity with those firearms, including but not limited to the safe handling and storage-of those firearms, and to increase compliance with existing firearms laws by requiring gun owners to demonstrate knowledge of those laws.   PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:: 2023-24: A7885 - Referred to Codes 2021-22: A7246B - Referred to Codes   FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:: None.   EFFECTIVE DATE:: This act shall take effect on the first January 1 after the date on which it shall become a law.
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