S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
3247
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
January 27, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. LAVINE, GLICK, SIMON, WALKER, HYNDMAN, COOK,
SAYEGH, McDONOUGH -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. DAVILA, SEAWRIGHT
-- read once and referred to the Committee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the penal law, in relation to adding possession of a
flamethrower to the crime of criminal possession of a weapon in the
fourth degree
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 265.00 of the penal law is amended by adding four
new subdivisions 37, 38, 39 and 40 to read as follows:
37. "FLAMETHROWER" MEANS A DEVICE CAPABLE OF PROJECTING A STREAM OF
BURNING FUEL A DISTANCE OF AT LEAST THREE FEET. INOPERABLE DISPLAY UNITS
SHALL NOT BE CONSIDERED "FLAMETHROWERS" FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS
SECTION.
38. "HISTORICAL FLAMETHROWER" MEANS A FLAMETHROWER CONSTRUCTED, IN
WHOLE OR IN SUBSTANTIAL PART, OF COMPONENTS MANUFACTURED PRIOR TO NINE-
TEEN HUNDRED SIXTY-SIX.
39. "SUBSTANTIAL PART" MEANS CONSTRUCTED WITH AT LEAST FIVE SIGNIF-
ICANT COMPONENTS MANUFACTURED PRIOR TO NINETEEN HUNDRED SIXTY-SIX.
40. "SIGNIFICANT COMPONENTS" MEANS FULLY FUNCTIONAL AND NECESSARY
PARTS FOR THE OPERATION OF A FLAMETHROWER INCLUDING:
(A) FUEL CELL;
(B) GAS CAPS;
(C) PRESSURE REGULATOR;
(D) PRESSURE BOTTLE;
(E) HOSE;
(F) WAND FUEL VALVE;
(G) BARREL;
(H) FRONT GRIP;
(I) IGNITION SHIELD; AND
(J) REAR GRIP.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06182-01-5
A. 3247 2
§ 2. The penal law is amended by adding a new section 265.41 to read
as follows:
§ 265.41 CRIMINAL POSSESSION OF A FLAMETHROWER.
A PERSON IS GUILTY OF CRIMINAL POSSESSION OF A FLAMETHROWER WHEN SUCH
PERSON POSSESSES A FLAMETHROWER; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT NOTHING IN THIS
SECTION SHALL PROHIBIT THE MANUFACTURE, REMANUFACTURE, RESTORATION OR
ALTERATION OF FLAMETHROWER COMPONENTS. THIS SECTION SHALL NOT APPLY TO
HISTORICAL FLAMETHROWERS, FLAMETHROWERS USED FOR AGRICULTURAL OR
CONSTRUCTION PURPOSES OR ANY FLAMETHROWER LAWFULLY ACQUIRED AND
POSSESSED PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION.
CRIMINAL POSSESSION OF A FLAMETHROWER IS A CLASS E FELONY.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after
it shall have become a law.