BILL NUMBER:  S6652

 TITLE OF BILL :  An act to amend the penal law, in relation to
reciprocity for pistol permit applications for military personnel

 PURPOSE :

To provide reciprocity for pistol permit applications for military
personnel

 SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS :

Section 1 amends subdivision 4-a of § 400.00 of the Penal Law to
provide, an application for a pistol permit license by any active
member of the Armed Forces of the United States must be acted upon by
the licensing officer within 60 days of the date of submission of such
application provided that the application is supported by appropriate
documentation proving that the applicant is an active member of the
military and is duly licensed to carry a pistol or firearm by another
jurisdiction within the United States. Nothing shall proscribe the
issuing of such a license so long as the armed forces applicant
submits the appropriate documentation accompanying the application and
submits proof of a previously obtained license issued by another
state.

Section 2 amends the Penal Law by adding a new section establishing
              

pistol license reciprocity for military personnel when that individual
is a member of an active or reserve component of the armed forces of
the United State and is also duly licensed to carry a pistol or
firearm by another jurisdiction within the United States.  This
enables such individual to carry a pistol or firearm within New York
State for a period of time not exceeding 90 days while the applicant's
New York pistol license application is pending.

Section 3 is the effective date.

 EXISTING LAW :

Article 400 of the Penal Law pertains to licensing and other
provisions related to firearms. Section 400.00 provides the
requirements for licenses to carry, possess, repair and dispose of
firearms.

Currently, subdivision 4-a of this section provides, applications for
licenses shall be accepted for processing by the licensing officer at
the time of presentment. Except upon written notice to the applicant
specifically stating the reasons for any delay, in each case the
licensing officer shall act upon any application for a license
pursuant to this section within six months of the date of presentment
of such an application to the appropriate authority. Such delay may
only be for good cause and with respect to the applicant. In acting
upon an application, the licensing officer shall either deny the
application for reasons specifically and concisely stated in writing
or grant the application and issue the license applied for.

 JUSTIFICATION :

As members of the Profession of Arms, many soldiers own and maintain
personal firearms and over the course of a career, these soldiers will
be assigned to multiple installations in many different states, each
with its own laws regarding firearm ownership and use.  Transporting
these items and applying for separate licenses following each new
assignment is burdensome. This legislation alleviates much of that
burden for our military personnel who are relocated to New York. The
bill authorizes state recognition, or reciprocity, of pistol or
firearm licenses from other states during the New York pistol permit
application process, requires that the licensing officer act upon such
pistol license applications by a member of the military within 60 days
of the application's submission, and establishes that nothing shall
proscribe the issuance of such a license so long as the armed forces
applicant submits the appropriate documentation accompanying the
application and submits proof of a previously obtained license issued
by another state.

Currently, soldiers owning a weapon properly permitted in another
state jurisdiction must meet federally licensed shipping requirements
when transporting that weapon into New York State. Until the soldier
receives his or her permit in New York State the weapon may not be
carried, transported or used by the soldier. Although Soldiers are
fully trained in marksmanship during duty hours, these soldiers are
prohibited from using their personal weapon on installation
recreational ranges during off-duty hours. This severely limits their
ability to further hone their marksmanship skills.

Ensuring that no military personnel are found in violation of New York
State pistol permit licensing laws is necessary. But requiring these
soldiers to wait over a year for a New York State issued permit is
untenable. By providing for firearm license reciprocity during the
application process and guaranteeing that nothing prohibits the
issuance of a firearm license when the application is properly made by
a member of the armed forces with evidence of a previously issued
firearm license duly provided to them in another state, New York
demonstrates its unwavering support of the military and does much to
promote the transition of these soldiers to life in New York State.

 PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

New bill.

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

None to the state.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act will take effect on the thirtieth day after is becomes law.