Hochul signs legislation cracking down on ghost guns

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

Governor Kathy Hochul on Thursday signed a package of legislation to combat the gun violence epidemic and to address the scourge of ghost guns in New York communities.

Legislation S.13A/A.2666A prohibits the possession of unfinished frames or receivers by anyone other than a licensed gunsmith or dealer in firearms. Legislation S.14A/A.613A prohibits the sale of ghost guns and requires gunsmiths and dealers in firearms to register firearms in their possession. Legislation S.7152/A.6522 adds firearms designed to resemble toys to the definition of a “disguised gun.”

“Gun violence is a public health and public safety crisis that must be dealt with aggressively,” said Governor Hochul. “Working with partners at all levels, my administration will continue to crack down on the distribution and possession of dangerous weapons and put an end to the gun violence epidemic.”

Legislation S.13A/A.2666A prohibits the possession and sale of unfinished frames or receivers by anyone other than a licensed gunsmith or dealer in firearms. Unfinished receivers are used to form the lower part of a firearm and can be easily combined with other pieces, even by someone with little experience, to make a fully functioning semi-automatic weapon. It also prohibits the possession and sale of unserialized finished frames and receivers by anyone other than a licensed gunsmith or dealer in firearms.

Legislation S.14A/A.613A prohibits the sale of ghost guns and requires gunsmiths and dealers in firearms to register and serialize firearms and unfinished frames or receivers they possess. Ghost guns are guns that are unregistered and do not have serial numbers, making them incredibly difficult for law enforcement to trace. These weapons often end up in the hands of purchasers with a criminal record or others who would not pass a required federal background check.

Legislation S.7152/A.6522 adds firearms capable of being concealed and designed to resemble toys to the definition of a “disguised gun” and prohibits their manufacture, design, or sale. Weapons capable of causing severe injury and death but that resemble toys are unjustifiably deceptive, and pose a clear threat to the safety of both children, who may mistake them for actual toys, and the public at large.