Requires persons possessing any firearm to hold a firearms safety certificate; establishes application and training process therefor; makes technical corrections.
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.