New York Governor signs expanded gun safety and ammunition laws

Governor Kathy Hochul has signed two new pieces of legislation in New York aimed at enhancing firearm safety and ammunition regulation. The laws were signed during the New Yorkers Against Gun Violence annual benefit dinner.

One measure, known as ‘Francesco’s Law,’ expands safe-storage requirements for firearms. Named in honor of a 17-year-old who died by suicide after accessing an unsecured shotgun, the law requires gun owners to keep firearms in locked storage containers when not in use. It also increases penalties for owners if minors or unlicensed individuals gain access to weapons.

The second law updates ammunition background checks to align with state firearm restrictions. It mandates a denial of ammunition sales to individuals prohibited from possessing rifles or shotguns under state or federal law, or those under active extreme risk protection orders. This change addresses a previous mismatch where individuals barred from owning certain firearms could still legally purchase ammunition.