S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
S. 3898 A. 5944
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
S E N A T E - A S S E M B L Y
February 20, 2019
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IN SENATE -- Introduced by Sen. JACKSON -- read twice and ordered print-
ed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Codes
IN ASSEMBLY -- Introduced by M. of A. QUART -- read once and referred to
the Committee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the penal law, in relation to gravity knives
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 265.01 of the penal law, as
amended by chapter 1 of the laws of 2013, is amended to read as follows:
(1) He or she possesses any firearm, electronic dart gun, electronic
stun gun, [gravity knife,] switchblade knife, pilum ballistic knife,
metal knuckle knife, cane sword, billy, blackjack, bludgeon, plastic
knuckles, metal knuckles, chuka stick, sand bag, sandclub, wrist-brace
type slingshot or slungshot, shirken, or "Kung Fu star"; [or]
§ 2. Subdivision 12 of section 10.00 of the penal law, as amended by
chapter 257 of the laws of 2008, is amended to read as follows:
12. "Deadly weapon" means any loaded weapon from which a shot, readily
capable of producing death or other serious physical injury, may be
discharged, or a switchblade knife, [gravity knife,] pilum ballistic
knife, metal knuckle knife, dagger, billy, blackjack, plastic knuckles,
or metal knuckles.
§ 3. Subdivision 5-c of section 265.00 of the penal law, as added by
chapter 510 of the laws of 2007, is amended to read as follows:
5-c. "Automatic knife" includes a stiletto, a switchblade knife, [a
gravity knife,] a cane sword, a pilum ballistic knife, and a metal
knuckle knife.
§ 4. Subdivisions 1 and 2 of section 265.10 of the penal law, as
amended by chapter 257 of the laws of 2008, are amended to read as
follows:
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08025-02-9
S. 3898 2 A. 5944
1. Any person who manufactures or causes to be manufactured any
machine-gun, assault weapon, large capacity ammunition feeding device or
disguised gun is guilty of a class D felony. Any person who manufactures
or causes to be manufactured any switchblade knife, [gravity knife,]
pilum ballistic knife, metal knuckle knife, billy, blackjack, bludgeon,
plastic knuckles, metal knuckles, Kung Fu star, chuka stick, sandbag,
sandclub or slungshot is guilty of a class A misdemeanor.
2. Any person who transports or ships any machine-gun, firearm silenc-
er, assault weapon or large capacity ammunition feeding device or
disguised gun, or who transports or ships as merchandise five or more
firearms, is guilty of a class D felony. Any person who transports or
ships as merchandise any firearm, other than an assault weapon, switch-
blade knife, [gravity knife,] pilum ballistic knife, billy, blackjack,
bludgeon, plastic knuckles, metal knuckles, Kung Fu star, chuka stick,
sandbag or slungshot is guilty of a class A misdemeanor.
§ 5. Subdivision 3 of section 265.15 of the penal law, as amended by
chapter 257 of the laws of 2008, is amended to read as follows:
3. The presence in an automobile, other than a stolen one or a public
omnibus, of any firearm, large capacity ammunition feeding device,
defaced firearm, defaced rifle or shotgun, defaced large capacity ammu-
nition feeding device, firearm silencer, explosive or incendiary bomb,
bombshell, [gravity knife,] switchblade knife, pilum ballistic knife,
metal knuckle knife, dagger, dirk, stiletto, billy, blackjack, plastic
knuckles, metal knuckles, chuka stick, sandbag, sandclub or slungshot is
presumptive evidence of its possession by all persons occupying such
automobile at the time such weapon, instrument or appliance is found,
except under the following circumstances: (a) if such weapon, instrument
or appliance is found upon the person of one of the occupants therein;
(b) if such weapon, instrument or appliance is found in an automobile
which is being operated for hire by a duly licensed driver in the due,
lawful and proper pursuit of his or her trade, then such presumption
shall not apply to the driver; or (c) if the weapon so found is a pistol
or revolver and one of the occupants, not present under duress, has in
his or her possession a valid license to have and carry concealed the
same.
§ 6. Paragraphs 2 and 6 of subdivision a of section 265.20 of the
penal law, paragraph 2 as amended by chapter 189 of the laws of 2000 and
paragraph 6 as amended by chapter 1041 of the laws of 1974, are amended
to read as follows:
2. Possession of a machine-gun, large capacity ammunition feeding
device, firearm, switchblade knife, [gravity knife,] pilum ballistic
knife, billy or blackjack by a warden, superintendent, headkeeper or
deputy of a state prison, penitentiary, workhouse, county jail or other
institution for the detention of persons convicted or accused of crime
or detained as witnesses in criminal cases, in pursuit of official duty
or when duly authorized by regulation or order to possess the same.
6. Possession of a switchblade [or gravity knife] for use while hunt-
ing, trapping or fishing by a person carrying a valid license issued to
him pursuant to section 11-0713 of the environmental conservation law.
§ 7. This act shall take effect immediately.