Gun Politics New York

Some gun bills on the Assembly Codes agenda for May 3 @ 11:00am:

• A-1023, Relates to requiring reporting on a seized or recovered gun to the criminal gun clearinghouse. Companion is S-4790.
• A-3998, Clarifies the definition of “imitation weapons.” Companion S-687 passed the Senate.
• A-5455, Requires police officers to take temporary custody of firearms for not less than one hundred twenty hours when responding to reports of family violence. Companion is S-5026.
• A-5746, Provides that it shall be unlawful for any person to organize, sponsor, conduct, promote, or participate in any contest, competition, tournament or derby where the objective of such contest or competition is to take wildlife. Companion is S-6643.

Plus some more light political theater from the Republicans to show they care about gun rights:

• A-3776, Grants dealers in firearms access to the New York Statewide Police Information Network to allow law enforcement the opportunity to question persons that attempt to sell stolen firearms. No companion.
• A-4756, Authorizes amendments to a license to carry or possess a firearm to be made by the filing officers or county clerk of each county, unless otherwise specified through resolution of the county’s legislative body. No companion.
• A-4960, Authorizes, in the county of Chautauqua, the possession of a pistol or revolver while attending a firearms familiarity course conducted by a law enforcement agency. No companion.

S-6659, Relates to fees charged for a license to carry or possess a pistol or revolver in the county of Westchester, and S-8164, Establishes the crime of unlawful storage of a firearm leading to use in the commission of a crime, have been Reported.

As expected, the Republican bills have been held in Codes.

It’s that time of year where Republicans in Albany engage in some light political theater to show gun owners that they care about them.

The following gun bills are on Assembly Codes agenda for Monday:

• A-3505, Requires that no applications, or the literature given therewith, shall be approved, distributed or used in any capacity if they contain an explicit written warning regarding ownership or use of a firearm.
• A-3538, Provides that a license to possess a pistol or revolver shall permit the licensee to carry such weapon concealed.
• A-4790, Allows individuals duly licensed out-of-state to carry a pistol or firearm, authority to carry such weapon within New York state for a limited duration with proper documentation.

None of these are going anywhere. They will be held over in committee with little to no discussion. Republicans have been following this script for decades.

If the Republicans really wanted to show 2A supporters they care, they would make a Motion to Discharge on each of these bills like Senate Democrats used to do for their gun control bills. They still won’t be voted on, but the sponsors could spend some time on the floor talking up 2A and making antis defend their positions.

Don’t expect this to happen.