NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A340
SPONSOR: Rosenthal L TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the penal law, in relation to the definition of serious
offense for purposes of possession of a firearm
PURPOSE:
This bill would prohibit the lawful possession of a firearm by any indi-
vidual has been convicted of aggravated animal cruelty.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section one amends section 265 of the penal law by adding a new para-
graph (d) to subdivision 17.
Section two sets forth the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
Research has shown a clear connection between animal cruelty and violent
tendencies that often include a strong desire to harm others. This same
research shows that individuals who have a history of being cruel and
abusive toward animals are far more likely to become violent towards
people in the future. Infamous serial killers, Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted
Bundy and David Berkowitz ("Son of Sam"), among numerous lesser-well-
known serial killers, have all admitted to torturing and abusing animals
as their first violent act.
The connection between animal cruelty and violence toward people is
further proven with those who commit mass shootings. Prior to their
assault, the two shooters who were responsible for the Columbine High
School Massacre in April of 1999 were known to be violent and abusive to
animals. In Parkland, FL, the assailant who used an assault weapon to
murder 17 students and teachers at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School
in February of 2018 was known to have performed acts of cruelty on
animals, including squirrels, dogs, pigs, rabbits and toads.
Cruel behavior toward animals should raise serious and actionable red
flags. This bill will help ensure the safety of others by prohibiting
possession of firearms by individuals who have been convicted of felony
animal cruelty.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2021-22: A.558 - Referred to Codes
2019-20: A.1069 - Referred to Codes
2017-18: A.10166 - Referred to Codes
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None to the State.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This bill shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have
become a law.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
340
2023-2024 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 6, 2023
___________
Introduced by M. of A. L. ROSENTHAL -- read once and referred to the
Committee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the penal law, in relation to the definition of serious
offense for purposes of possession of a firearm
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Subdivision 17 of section 265.00 of the penal law is
2 amended by adding a new paragraph (d) to read as follows:
3 (d) an offense which would constitute a felony offense against an
4 animal pursuant to section three hundred fifty-one, three hundred
5 fifty-three-a, three hundred sixty, or three hundred sixty-one of the
6 agriculture and markets law or section 242.15 of this part.
7 § 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall
8 have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00768-01-3
