Hawley: Law-abiding gun owners face even more costs, red tape with new state laws

Press Release, Assemblyman Steve Hawley

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C Batavia) was critical of Gov. Kathy Hochul for signing two new gun-control measures that further restrict ammunition purchases and expand firearm safe-storage requirements, calling the action political grandstanding that imposes real costs on responsible gun owners while doing little to stop criminals.

The bills, signed last week at a New Yorkers Against Gun Violence event, include S.7236/A.7983, which expands ammunition background-check denials, and Francesco’s Law, which extends existing safe storage requirements and criminal liability to gun owners regardless of whether they live with a minor or a person prohibited from possessing a gun. The storage changes take effect in January 2027.

 “This is classic Albany grandstanding,” said Hawley. “Gov. Hochul signs more gun rules at a photo-op and claims she’s keeping New Yorkers safe, but the people who actually pay the price are the law-abiding gun owners, not criminals. This measure expands ammunition restrictions beyond federal law and raises due process concerns.

“Lawful buyers now face more delays, fees and red tape every time they purchase ammunition. These costs in time, money and inconvenience fall almost entirely on people who already follow the law. If the goal was really public safety, Albany would focus on holding repeat offenders accountable instead of making it harder and more expensive for honest citizens to exercise their rights.”

Hawley noted that New York already has some of the strictest gun laws in the country, yet the new measures continue to layer compliance burdens on owners and small dealers without meaningfully addressing illegal guns or violent crime.