Governor signs legislation to toughen gun laws

ALBANY – Governor Kathy Hochul has signed three bills aimed at combatting the gun violence epidemic and addressing the possession of guns that have no manufacture name or serial number imprinted on them, known as “ghost guns.” It also targets firearms disguised as toys.

One new law prohibits the possession of unfinished frames or receivers by anyone other than a licensed gunsmith or dealer in firearms. The second new law prohibits the sale of ghost guns and requires gunsmiths and dealers in firearms to register firearms in their possession. The third new gun law adds firearms designed to resemble toys to the definition of a ‘disguised gun,” making them illegal.

“Gun violence is a public health and public safety crisis that must be dealt with aggressively,” said 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.”

“If you can’t pass a background check to get a gun, then you shouldn’t be able to get a gun, period. For too long, the unfinished receiver loophole let anyone get their hands on all the parts needed to build an untraceable, unregistered AR-15 without ever going through a background check, but today, we’re taking historic action here in New York to close that dangerous loophole for good,” said Senator Anna Kaplan, sponsor of the legislation.