NY State Senate Bill 2015-S2445

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Consumer Protection Committee

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

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Date of Action	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Jan 06, 2016	referred to consumer protection
Jan 23, 2015	referred to consumer protection

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2015-S2445 (ACTIVE) - Details

Current Committee:: Senate Consumer Protection
Law Section:: General Business Law
Laws Affected:: Add Art 38-B §§830 - 834, Gen Bus L
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2011-2012: S7836
2013-2014: S575

2015-S2445 (ACTIVE) - Summary

Provides for universal background checks for the sale of firearms; makes the violation of such provisions a class A misdemeanor.

2015-S2445 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                BILL NUMBER:S2445

TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the general business law, in relation
to universal background checks for sales of firearms

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this act is to require all firearm sales to be
conducted through a licensed firearms dealer, so that all legal
requirements axe met, including a background check on the prospective
purchaser and the creation of a record. This act will help protect
public safety by preventing gun deaths and injuries.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 of the bill adds a new Article 38-B to the General Business
Law in relation to universal background checks for sales of firearms.

*Section 830 provides the short title.
*Section 831 defines certain terms.
*Section 832 requires anyone selling or transferring a firearm to
process the transfer through a federally licensed firearms dealer, who
must conduct a background check on the prospective purchaser and
maintain a record of the sale.
*Section 833 provides exemptions to the article.
*Section 834 provides that a violation of the article shall be a class

A misdemeanor. Every conviction of a violation of this article by a
dealer in firearms shall be reported by the sentencing court to the
Federal Bureau of Alcohol,-Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

JUSTIFICATION:

Federal law requires anyone engaged in the business of selling
firearms to obtain a federal firearms license. These licensed dealers
are required to conduct background checks on a prospective gun
purchaser before transferring the firearm. Firearm dealers are not the
only individuals who can transfer guns, however. Due to a huge
loophole in federal law, the private sale loophole, unlicensed sellers
are not legally required to conduct a background check or document
transaction information prior to transferring a firearm.  This
loophole accounts for up to 40% of all gun sales nationwide.  Because
of this loophole, criminals and other prohibited persons can easily
buy guns throughout most of the country.

Background checks are a proven method to keep guns out of the hands of
prohibited persons. Since the federal background check requirement was
adopted in 1994, nearly 1,800,000 prohibited persons have been denied
a firearm transfer or permit. In 2009 alone, 76,648 gun transfers were
denied using the federal background check system. Implementing
universal background checks would reduce illegal trafficking and treat
all transfers equally, whether the purchaser is buying from a licensed
gun shop, at a gun show or from a neighbor. Universal background
checks would help ensure that persons buying guns are legally eligible
to do so.

In addition to the requirement of a background check, federally
licensed firearms dealers must also record information about each sale


or transfer of a firearm. The information that is recorded helps law
enforcement track the owners of guns recovered in crimes, and remove
guns from the hands of people who have been convicted of a crime or
otherwise become ineligible to possess them.

Americans overwhelmingly support background checks fox all prospective
gun purchasers; (a) nationwide poll conducted in early 200B found that
87% of Americans, including 83% of gun owners, favor requiring
everyone who sells guns to conduct criminal background checks on
prospective purchasers; (b) a poll conducted in November, 2008 found
that 83% of voters, including 84% Percent of gun owners, favor
background checks for all sales, and (c) a national survey conducted
for Mayors Against Illegal Guns in January, 2007 found that 92% of
Americans, including 91% of gun owners, favor mandatory criminal
background checks for all people purchasing guns.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2014: Senate Bill #575 (Gianaris) - Died in Senate Consumer Protection
Committee
2012: Senate Bill #7839 (Gianaris) - Died in Senate Rules Committee

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

The sixtieth day after it shall have become law.

2015-S2445 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                            
                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                  2445

                       2015-2016 Regular Sessions

                            I N  S E N A T E

                            January 23, 2015
                               ___________

Introduced by Sens. GIANARIS, ADDABBO, BRESLIN, HASSELL-THOMPSON, KRUEG-
  ER,  MONTGOMERY,  PERKINS, RIVERA, SERRANO, SQUADRON, STAVISKY -- read
  twice and ordered printed, and when printed to  be  committed  to  the
  Committee on Consumer Protection

AN ACT to amend the general business law, in relation to universal back-
  ground checks for sales of firearms

  THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section 1. The general business law is amended by adding a new article
38-B to read as follows:
                               ARTICLE 38-B
            UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR SALE OF FIREARMS
SECTION 830. SHORT TITLE.
        831. DEFINITIONS.
        832. ALL SALES THROUGH A DEALER IN FIREARMS.
        833. EXEMPTIONS.
        834. PENALTIES.
  S 830. SHORT TITLE. THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE KNOWN AND MAY  BE  CITED  AS
THE "UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR SALE OF FIREARMS ACT".
  S 831. DEFINITIONS. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE:
  1.  "DEALER  IN FIREARMS" HAS THE SAME MEANING AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED
IN SUBDIVISION NINE OF SECTION 265.00 OF THE PENAL LAW.
  2. "FIREARM" HAS THE SAME MEANING AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN  SUBDIVI-
SION THREE OF SECTION 265.00 OF THE PENAL LAW.
  3.  "LAW  ENFORCEMENT AGENCY" MEANS ANY AGENCY OF THE FEDERAL OR STATE
GOVERNMENT, OR OF A  MUNICIPALITY  OR  PUBLIC  AUTHORITY  WHICH  EMPLOYS
POLICE OFFICERS.
  S  832.  ALL SALES THROUGH A DEALER IN FIREARMS. NO PERSON SHALL SELL,
LEASE, TRANSFER OR LOAN A FIREARM UNLESS:
  1. SUCH PERSON IS A DEALER IN FIREARMS;

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD07620-01-5

S. 2445                             2

  2. THE PURCHASER,  LESSEE,  TRANSFEREE  OR  PERSON  BEING  LOANED  THE
FIREARM IS A DEALER IN FIREARMS; OR
  3. WHERE NEITHER SUCH PERSON, NOR THE PURCHASER, LESSEE, TRANSFEREE OR
PERSON BEING LOANED THE FIREARM IS A DEALER IN FIREARMS, THE TRANSACTION
SHALL BE COMPLETED THROUGH A DEALER IN FIREARMS AS FOLLOWS:
  (A)  THE  SELLER, LESSOR, TRANSFEROR OR THE PERSON LOANING THE FIREARM
SHALL DELIVER THE FIREARM TO THE DEALER IN FIREARMS,  WHO  SHALL  RETAIN
POSSESSION  OF  THAT  FIREARM UNTIL ALL LEGAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SALE,
LEASE, TRANSFER OR LOAN HAVE BEEN MET;
  (B) THE DEALER IN FIREARMS SHALL PROCESS THE SALE, LEASE, TRANSFER  OR
LOAN  AS  IF  HE OR SHE WERE THE SELLER, LESSOR, TRANSFEROR OR LENDER OF
THE FIREARM. THE DEALER IN FIREARMS SHALL COMPLY WITH  ALL  REQUIREMENTS
OF  FEDERAL,  STATE AND LOCAL LAW THAT WOULD APPLY IF HE OR SHE WERE THE
SELLER, LESSOR, TRANSFEROR OR LENDER OF THE FIREARM;
  (C) THE DEALER IN FIREARMS SHALL CONDUCT A  BACKGROUND  CHECK  ON  THE
PURCHASER, LESSEE, TRANSFEREE OR THE PERSON BEING LOANED THE FIREARM, IN
ACCORDANCE  WITH  SECTION  922(T) OF TITLE 18 OF THE UNITED STATES CODE,
AND STATE AND LOCAL LAW, AND, IF  THE  TRANSACTION  IS  NOT  PROHIBITED,
DELIVER THE FIREARM TO THAT PERSON AFTER ALL LEGAL REQUIREMENTS ARE MET;
  (D)  IF  THE  DEALER IN FIREARMS CANNOT LEGALLY DELIVER THE FIREARM TO
THE PURCHASER, LESSEE, TRANSFEREE OR THE PERSON BEING LOANED THE FIREARM
THE DEALER IN FIREARMS SHALL CONDUCT A BACKGROUND CHECK ON  THE  SELLER,
LESSOR,  TRANSFEROR OR THE PERSON LOANING THE FIREARM IN ACCORDANCE WITH
SECTION 922(T) OF TITLE 18 OF THE UNITED  STATES  CODE,  AND  STATE  AND
LOCAL  LAW, AND, IF THE RETURN TRANSACTION IS NOT PROHIBITED, RETURN THE
FIREARM TO THAT PERSON;
  (E) IF THE DEALER IN FIREARMS CANNOT LEGALLY RETURN THE FIREARM TO THE
SELLER, LESSOR, TRANSFEROR OR THE PERSON LOANING THE FIREARM,  THEN  THE
DEALER IN FIREARMS SHALL DELIVER THE FIREARM TO A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY
HAVING JURISDICTION OVER SUCH DEALER WITHIN TWENTY-FOUR HOURS; AND
  (F)  THE  PURCHASER, LESSEE, TRANSFEREE OR THE PERSON BEING LOANED THE
FIREARM MAY BE REQUIRED BY THE DEALER IN FIREARMS TO PAY A FEE  COVERING
THE  ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS INCURRED BY THE DEALER IN FIREARMS FOR FACILI-
TATING THE TRANSFER OF THE FIREARM, PLUS  APPLICABLE  FEES  PURSUANT  TO
FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL LAW.
  S  833. EXEMPTIONS. THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION EIGHT HUNDRED THIRTY-TWO
OF THIS ARTICLE SHALL NOT APPLY TO:
  1. THE ACTIVITIES OF:
  (A) LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CORRECTIONS SERVICES AGENCIES;
  (B) THE UNITED STATES MARSHALS, MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES OF  UNITED
STATES  OR  THE  ORGANIZED  MILITIA OF THE STATE, OR FEDERAL OFFICERS OR
EMPLOYEES REQUIRED TO POSSESS FIREARMS WHILE ENGAGED IN  THEIR  OFFICIAL
DUTIES; AND
  (C)  PERSONS WHO ARE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE THIRTY-NINE-
DD OF THIS CHAPTER; OR
  2. THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES, UNLESS THE  LAWFUL  OWNER  OF  A  FIREARM
KNOWS  OR HAS REASON TO BELIEVE THAT FEDERAL, STATE OR LOCAL LAW PROHIB-
ITS A TRANSFEREE FROM PURCHASING OR POSSESSING A FIREARM,  OR  THAT  THE
TRANSFEREE IS LIKELY TO USE THAT FIREARM FOR UNLAWFUL PURPOSES:
  (A)  THE DELIVERY OF A FIREARM TO A GUNSMITH FOR SERVICE OR REPAIR, OR
THE RETURN OF THE FIREARM TO ITS OWNER BY THE GUNSMITH;
  (B) THE TRANSFER OF A FIREARM TO A  CARRIER,  WAREHOUSEMAN  AND  OTHER
PERSON  ENGAGED  IN  THE  BUSINESS  OF TRANSPORTATION OR STORAGE, TO THE
EXTENT THAT THE POSSESSION, RECEIPT OR HAVING ON OR ABOUT THE PERSON  OF
ANY FIREARM IS IN THE ORDINARY COURSE OF BUSINESS AND IN CONFORMITY WITH

S. 2445                             3

FEDERAL,  STATE AND LOCAL LAWS, BUT NOT FOR THE PERSONAL USE OF ANY SUCH
PERSON;
  (C)  THE  LOAN  OF  A  FIREARM  SOLELY  FOR THE PURPOSE OF SHOOTING AT
TARGETS, IF THE LOAN OCCURS ON THE PREMISES OF A TARGET FACILITY, IF THE
FIREARM IS AT ALL TIMES KEPT WITHIN THE PREMISES OF THE TARGET RANGE;
  (D) THE LOAN OF A FIREARM TO A PERSON WHO IS UNDER TWENTY-ONE YEARS OF
AGE FOR LAWFUL HUNTING, SPORTING OR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES WHILE UNDER THE
DIRECT SUPERVISION AND CONTROL OF A RESPONSIBLE ADULT; OR
  (E) THE LOAN OF A FIREARM TO A PERSON WHO IS TWENTY-ONE YEARS  OF  AGE
OR OLDER, SO LONG AS THE FIREARM REMAINS IN THE PERSON'S POSSESSION ONLY
WHILE  THE PERSON IS ACCOMPANYING THE LAWFUL OWNER AND USING THE FIREARM
FOR LAWFUL  HUNTING, SPORTING OR RECREATIONAL PURPOSES.
  S 834. PENALTIES. 1. ANY PERSON WHO VIOLATES ANY OF THE PROVISIONS  OF
THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE GUILTY OF A CLASS A MISDEMEANOR.
  2.  EVERY  CONVICTION  OF  A  VIOLATION OF THIS ARTICLE BY A DEALER IN
FIREARMS SHALL BE REPORTED BY THE SENTENCING COURT TO THE FEDERAL BUREAU
OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, FIREARMS AND EXPLOSIVES.
  S 2. This act shall take effect on the sixtieth  day  after  it  shall
have become a law.

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Senate Bill S2445

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Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Consumer Protection Committee

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co-Sponsors

2015-S2445 (ACTIVE) - Details

2015-S2445 (ACTIVE) - Summary

2015-S2445 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2015-S2445 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

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Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Consumer Protection Committee

Actions

co-Sponsors

2015-S2445 (ACTIVE) - Details

2015-S2445 (ACTIVE) - Summary

2015-S2445 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2015-S2445 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments