Criminal Justice (Firearms)

in committee · New York · Senate Apr 9, 2026

S 9871: Prohibits removal of adolescent offenders to family court in certain circumstances

This bill prevents juvenile offenders from being transferred to adult criminal court if they possessed a loaded firearm while committing a crime, keeping them in the family court system instead. It specifically adds a new condition where the mere possession of a loaded gun during the offense is enough to stop the transfer, regardless of whether the gun was used to threaten anyone or cause injury. The law applies to cases where the prosecutor cannot prove that the defendant caused significant physical injury, displayed a weapon to further the crime, or committed specific sexual offenses. By making this change, the bill ensures that juveniles with loaded firearms but without other aggravating factors remain under the jurisdiction of family courts rather than facing adult prosecution.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts transfer to adult court for juveniles possessing loaded firearms, limiting prosecutorial discretion and reducing access to adult justice mechanisms.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms Juvenile Justice

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in committee · New York · Senate Feb 18, 2026

S 9229: Relates to authorizing bail and pre-trial detention for arson felonies

This bill (S 9229, "Billy's law") adds arson in the fourth degree (Penal Law § 150.05) and arson in the third degree (Penal Law § 150.10) to the list of offenses where judges may deny bail or order pre-trial detention. It directly affects defendants charged with these specific arson felonies who are already out on bail, released under conditions, or awaiting arraignment for other crimes involving harm to people or property. The law amends New York’s criminal procedure law to include these arson charges under the same bail denial criteria applied to other serious offenses like firearm possession or crimes causing identifiable harm. This change requires judges to consider the nature of the arson charge when determining pre-trial release, without altering the existing "reasonable cause" standard prosecutors must meet.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRestricts defendant bail rights for arson offenses, increasing pre-trial detention without reform intent. Explicitly authorizes denial of bail for specific arson felonies.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5785: Includes within the class A misdemeanor of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree, the possession of a weapon, outside the home, while intoxicated; repealer

Includes within the class A misdemeanor of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree, the possession of a firearm, rifle or shotgun, outside the home, while impaired or intoxicated by use of alcohol or drugs; increases maximum fine for such offense to $10,000; provides for chemical testing of certain persons for whom there is reasonable cause to believe are in violation of such provision; provides for revocation of firearms permit upon conviction or refusal of a chemical test.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by adding intoxication to weapon possession offenses, increases penalties (fine to $10k), and revokes firearms permits, restricting rights and strengthening enforcement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2731: Allows rifles, shotguns, and firearms on college and university campuses

This bill amends New York's penal law to remove criminal penalties for possessing rifles, shotguns, or firearms on college and university campuses. It explicitly states that the prohibition on weapon possession "shall not apply to college or university buildings or grounds," meaning students, faculty, and visitors could legally carry such firearms without authorization on campus. However, the bill maintains that schools cannot authorize teachers, administrators, or non-security staff to carry weapons - only certified security personnel with special registration may be permitted to do so. The change eliminates the current class E felony charge for firearm possession on campus grounds, shifting the legal standard for campus safety.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill removes criminal penalties for campus firearm possession, expanding gun access contrary to criminal justice reform goals of reducing violence and enhancing safety measures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1473: Relates to the justified use of physical force

Relates to the justified use of physical force; removes requirement that a person facing an imminent physical threat must retreat; provides immunity from civil and criminal liability.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves retreat requirement for physical force use and grants immunity, weakening law enforcement accountability - aligns with 'oppose' indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5584: Relates to national instant criminal background checks and ammunition; repealer

Removes ammunition and ammunition sales from the requirements of background checks; repeals certain provisions of law relating thereto; repeals the background check fund.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves ammunition background checks and defunds background check system, weakening a key criminal justice safety measure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4941: Relates to possession and sale of armor piercing ammunition; repealer

This bill makes possessing or selling armor-piercing ammunition a class B felony in New York, directly affecting individuals who handle this type of ammunition. It adds specific provisions to the penal law stating that possessing armor-piercing ammunition, or unlawfully selling, exchanging, or disposing of it, constitutes a serious criminal offense. The bill repeals an existing subdivision and amends two sections of the penal law to include these new felony classifications. These changes raise penalties for these activities from lesser offenses to a class B felony, the second-highest criminal classification in New York.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill classifies armor-piercing ammunition possession as felony, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties, directly opposing reform-focused criminal justice policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2316: Limits the application of the "safe act" to the counties of Kings, Queens, Richmond, New York and Bronx; repealer

This bill limits the application of New York's "Safe Act" to the five boroughs of Kings (Brooklyn), Queens, Richmond (Staten Island), New York (Manhattan), and Bronx. It modifies court procedures requiring firearm surrender after certain legal outcomes - such as a not-guilty verdict due to mental disease, a conviction involving firearms, or an order of protection - in those specific counties. Courts in these areas must now inquire about firearms and order surrender under defined circumstances, while other counties remain unaffected by these provisions. The bill does not create new rules but restricts where existing firearm surrender requirements apply.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeLimits scope of Safe Act's firearm surrender requirements in criminal cases, restricting application to specific boroughs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 818: Creates the offense of operating as a major firearms trafficker

This bill creates a new class A-I felony offense for operating as a major firearms trafficker. It directly affects individuals who unlawfully sell, exchange, give away, or possess 20 or more firearms within one year with intent to sell. The law establishes two specific triggers: selling 20+ firearms to others in a year, or possessing 20+ firearms with intent to sell. Conviction carries the most serious criminal penalty under New York law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new class A-I felony for firearms trafficking, increasing criminalization and imposing maximum penalties per New York law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1902: Relates to the definition of assault weapons

This bill amends New York's penal law to narrow the legal definition of "assault weapons" by removing specific features from the criteria. It deletes characteristics like bayonet mounts, certain pistol grips, fixed magazine capacity limits, and threaded barrels from the definition for rifles, shotguns, and pistols. As a result, firearms that previously met these deleted criteria would no longer be classified as assault weapons under current law. The change directly affects how state law defines and regulates certain firearms, without creating new restrictions or exemptions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeNarrows assault weapon definition, reducing regulatory scope and weakening gun control measures in criminal justice policy85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Violent Crime

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