Criminal Justice (Firearms)

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5917: Makes any offense involving the use or possession of a firearm, shotgun or rifle bail eligible

This bill (S 5917) changes New York law to make **all misdemeanor and felony charges involving the use or possession of a firearm, shotgun, or rifle eligible for bail**. It directly affects defendants charged with these firearm-related offenses who would previously have been held without bail. The key provision adds a new category to existing bail rules, requiring prosecutors to show reasonable cause for the charge but allowing courts to generally permit release on bail. This expands bail eligibility beyond prior restrictions that limited it to specific firearm crimes or cases involving harm to people or property.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands bail eligibility for firearm charges, reducing pretrial detention and aligning with criminal justice reform goals to protect defendant rights and reduce unnecessary incarceration.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1811: Requires reporting to the federal bureau of investigation's national use-of-force data collection program

This bill requires New York police departments and sheriff's offices to report all use-of-force incidents to the FBI's national database. It defines specific reportable events, including firearm discharge, chokeholds, chemical agents, and other restraints causing injury or death. Reports must include detailed incident circumstances and demographic details of involved individuals (age, race, gender, etc.). Failure to submit reports risks a 10% reduction in state funding for the affected department.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates use-of-force reporting with demographics to enhance police accountability and transparency in law enforcement, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Policing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 990: Classifies criminal possession of a firearm from a class E felony to a class D felony

S 990 reclassifies criminal possession of a firearm from a class E felony to a class D felony under New York's penal law. This change directly affects individuals convicted of possessing a firearm without proper registration, reducing the severity of the penalty for this offense. The bill amends Section 265.01-b of the penal law to update the felony classification, which would result in potentially lighter sentencing for such convictions. The key mechanism is the straightforward reclassification of the offense level, without altering the underlying conduct or registration requirements. This is a substantive policy change affecting sentencing for a specific criminal charge.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReclassifies firearm possession from E to D felony, reducing penalty severity aligning with criminal justice reform goals of less severe sentencing for non-violent offenses.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 935: Authorizes bail for principals charged with certain driving while intoxicated offenses

This bill adds felony driving while intoxicated (DWI) offenses under Vehicle and Traffic Law sections 1192 and 1193 to the list of charges where a court may authorize bail without cash conditions. It specifically affects defendants charged with felony DWI who were already out on bail, released under conditions, or awaiting arraignment for other serious offenses (like property harm or firearm charges). Courts may release these defendants without cash bail if prosecutors show reasonable cause the defendant committed the current DWI offense, and if the court determines any property harm involved was negligible and unrelated to other criminal activity. The bill does not change existing bail rules for other offenses but expands the scope to include felony DWI cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables non-cash bail for felony DWI defendants, reducing pretrial detention and aligning with criminal justice reform goals to limit cash bail's disproportionate impact on low-income defendants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7076: Increases certain penalties for certain crimes relating to criminal possession of a weapon or firearm and to the release of information pertaining to youthful and adolescent offenders; repealer

Increases certain penalties for certain crimes relating to criminal possession of a weapon or firearm; relates to the release of information to the public, schools or law enforcement pertaining to youthful and adolescent offenders; establishes the crime of criminal solicitation of a minor in a violent felony; repeals certain provisions relating to disclosure of law enforcement arrest or booking photographs of an individual.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for weapon crimes and creates new offenses (criminal solicitation of minors), directly expanding criminalization and harsher sentencing per 'oppose' indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Juvenile Justice

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 12, 2025

R 1245: Establishes a plan setting forth an itemized list of grantees for a certain appropriation for the 2025-2026 state fiscal year for community safety and restorative justice programs

This Senate Resolution (R 1245) requires the state to create and approve an itemized list of organizations receiving funds for community safety and restorative justice programs in the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It directly affects local government agencies, community-based nonprofits, and service providers (like victim support groups, legal aid organizations, and violence prevention programs) by mandating that all allocated funds - totaling over $1 million - must be distributed according to a Senate-approved plan. Key provisions include requiring Senate leadership and the budget director to approve the grant list or allocation method before funds are spent, and allowing limited fund transfers between state agencies like victim services or domestic violence prevention offices. The resolution specifies exact amounts for 28 grantees, including $200,000 to Empire Justice Center and $100,000 to Women's Initiative for Self-Empowerment Inc., for programs addressing issues like domestic violence, gun violence prevention, and alternatives to incarceration.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates itemized fund distribution for community safety/restorative justice programs, ensuring $1M+ in allocated budget supports essential services without defunding.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds restorative justice programs including victim support and violence prevention, aligning with criminal justice reform goals like rehabilitation and community safety.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Domestic Violence Firearms

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3182: Relates to the justification for the use of force in a homicide by a peace officer or police officer

This bill establishes new legal standards for when police officers may use deadly force. It states officers can only use deadly force if they reasonably believe it's necessary to prevent imminent death or serious injury to themselves or others, or to arrest someone for a violent felony that caused death or serious injury. The law requires officers to consider alternatives when safe and evaluate situations from the perspective of a reasonable officer at the time, not with hindsight. It specifically notes people with disabilities are more likely to experience excessive force during police interactions and are involved in a significant portion of fatal encounters. The bill directly affects police officers' use of force decisions and impacts individuals interacting with law enforcement, particularly those with disabilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeSets stricter standards for police deadly force use, requiring reasonable belief and alternatives consideration, enhancing officer accountability per criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7460: Relates to securing orders for certain firearms offenses

This New York state bill (A 7460) requires courts to hold defendants in custody (remand to sheriff custody) before trial for specific felony firearm offenses. It directly affects individuals charged with crimes like third-degree criminal possession of a firearm or weapon, or selling firearms to minors. The key change is mandating pretrial jail detention for these offenses, rather than allowing release on bail. The bill amends three sections of New York's criminal procedure law to specify these offenses trigger this requirement. It does not change the penalties for the crimes themselves, only the court procedure for handling defendants charged with them.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates pretrial detention for firearm offenses, restricting defendant rights by eliminating bail options for specific charges like third-degree criminal possession.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Firearms

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1245: Revokes community supervision for certain conduct

This bill changes probation rules by restricting when people on community supervision (like probation) can be sent back to jail. It prohibits reincarceration for minor technical violations (such as curfew breaches, unpaid fees, or failing to notify a supervisor), but allows it for violations related to serious offenses like kidnapping, coercion, or firearm use. For absconding, it sets maximum jail periods (30 days for first violation, up to 90 days for repeat offenses). The law affects individuals on probation for specific crimes, particularly those involving violence or weapons, aiming to limit jail time for minor infractions while maintaining enforcement for high-risk conduct.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts reincarceration for minor probation violations (e.g., curfew breaches), aligning with criminal justice reform to reduce unnecessary incarceration and promote rehabilitation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7180: Requires the state's model law enforcement use of force policy to conform to standards promulgated by the United Nations

Requires the state's model law enforcement use of force policy to conform to the United Nations basic principles on the use of force and firearms by law enforcement officials and the United Nations code of conduct for law enforcement officials.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates alignment with UN use of force standards, enhancing police accountability and civil rights protections in law enforcement policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement Policing

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