Authorizes members of certain recognized religious sects to submit an application for a license to carry or possess a pistol or revolver without a photograph.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
6859
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
August 30, 2017
___________
Introduced by Sen. YOUNG -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules
AN ACT to amend the penal law, in relation to applications to carry or
possess a pistol or revolver by applicants of certain recognized reli-
gious sects
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Section 400.00 of the penal law is amended by adding a new
2 subdivision 3-a to read as follows:
3 3-a. Photograph exemption. (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of para-
4 graph (a) of subdivision three of this section, any applicant for a
5 license to carry or possess a pistol or revolver who is a member of a
6 recognized religious sect, which embraces a long-standing commitment of
7 non-involvement in the matters of established government practices and
8 is conscientiously opposed to the willing submission of a photograph due
9 to the tenets of such sect, may file an application with the licensing
10 officer for an exemption from submitting or filing any photograph or
11 photographic image in connection with an application for such license.
12 (b) The application for an exemption pursuant to this subdivision
13 shall include a written affidavit by the applicant that he or she is a
14 member of an organized religious sect that embraces a long-standing
15 commitment of non-involvement in the matters of established government
16 practices and is conscientiously opposed to the willing submission of a
17 photograph or photographic image.
18 (c) An application for exemption submitted pursuant to this subdivi-
19 sion shall be granted by the licensing officer if he or she finds that:
20 (1) the applicant is a member of a recognized religious sect the
21 tenets referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subdivision; and
22 (2) it has been the practice, for a substantial number of years, for
23 members of such sect to abstain from the submission of photographs or
24 photographic images.
25 § 2. This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeed-
26 ing the date on which it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13415-01-7
