S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
9197
I N S E N A T E
November 30, 2018
___________
Introduced by Sen. PARKER -- 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 requiring social media and
search engine reviews prior to the delivery of a rifle or shotgun
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The penal law is amended by adding a new section 400.20 to
read as follows:
§ 400.20 SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT AND SEARCH ENGINE HISTORY REVIEW PRIOR TO
THE DELIVERY OF A RIFLE OR SHOTGUN.
1. PRIOR TO THE DELIVERY OF ANY RIFLE OR SHOTGUN SOLD BY A LICENSED
DEALER TO ANY PERSON, THE PURCHASER SHALL CONSENT TO HAVE HIS OR HER
SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS AND SEARCH ENGINE HISTORY REVIEWED AND INVESTI-
GATED BY THE POLICE AUTHORITY OF THE LOCALITY WHERE SUCH SALE IS MADE.
AFTER COMPLETION OF THE REVIEW PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION TWO OF THIS
SECTION, THE PURCHASER SHALL PROVIDE THE LICENSED DEALER WITH PROOF OF
HIS OR HER APPROVAL TO PURCHASE SUCH RIFLE OR SHOTGUN.
2. IN ORDER TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER ANY SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT OR SEARCH
ENGINE HISTORY OF A PURCHASER OF A RIFLE OR SHOTGUN PRESENTS ANY GOOD
CAUSE FOR THE DENIAL OF SUCH PURCHASE, THE POLICE AUTHORITY OF THE
LOCALITY WHERE SUCH SALE IS MADE SHALL, AFTER OBTAINING THE PURCHASER'S
CONSENT PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION, AND OBTAINING ANY
LOG-IN NAME, PASSWORD OR OTHER MEANS FOR ACCESSING A PERSONAL ACCOUNT,
SERVICE, OR ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE NECESSARY TO REVIEW SUCH
PURCHASER'S SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS AND SEARCH ENGINE HISTORY, REVIEW A
PURCHASER'S SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS FOR THE PREVIOUS THREE YEARS AND
SEARCH ENGINE HISTORY FOR THE PREVIOUS YEAR AND INVESTIGATE POSTS OR
SEARCHES RELATED TO (I) COMMONLY KNOWN PROFANE SLURS OR BIASED LANGUAGE
USED TO DESCRIBE THE RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, ANCESTRY, GENDER,
RELIGION, RELIGIOUS PRACTICE, AGE, DISABILITY OR SEXUAL ORIENTATION OF A
PERSON; (II) THREATENING THE HEALTH OR SAFETY OF ANOTHER PERSON; (III)
AN ACT OF TERRORISM; OR (IV) ANY OTHER ISSUE DEEMED NECESSARY BY THE
POLICE AUTHORITY. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, "SOCIAL MEDIA
ACCOUNTS" SHALL ONLY INCLUDE FACEBOOK, SNAPCHAT, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM,
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD16702-01-8
S. 9197 2
AND "SEARCH ENGINE" SHALL ONLY INCLUDE GOOGLE, YAHOO AND BING. UPON
COMPLETION OF THE INVESTIGATION, THE POLICE AUTHORITY SHALL REPORT THE
RESULTS TO THE PURCHASER WITHOUT UNNECESSARY DELAY AND, IF APPROPRIATE,
PROVIDE THE PURCHASER WITH PROOF OF APPROVAL TO PURCHASE SUCH RIFLE OR
SHOTGUN.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall
have become a law. Effective immediately the addition, amendment and/or
repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of
this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed
on or before such effective date.