Source: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2019/S7763
Timestamp: 2020-08-06 22:59:04
Document Index: 402181373

Matched Legal Cases: ['§265', '§265', '§  2', '§ 4', '§  5', '§ 265', '§ 6', '§ 7', '§ 8', '§  4', '§ 5', '§ 265', '§  7', '§  8']

NY State Senate Bill S7763A
senate Bill S7763A
Get Status Alerts for S7763A
Jul 23, 2020 referred to codes
ordered to third reading cal.1017
Jul 20, 2020 print number 7763a
Jul 20, 2020 amend and recommit to rules
Feb 14, 2020 referred to codes
S7763A
S7763 - Details
Amd §§265.00, 265.02, 265.10 & 400.00, add §§265.07, 265.60, 265.61 & 265.62, Pen L
S7763 - Summary
Criminalizes the sale of ghost guns and requires gunsmiths to register and serialize firearms, rifles, shotguns, and unfinished frames or receivers they assemble, manufacture, fabricate, build, or if they fit together the component parts of a firearm, rifle, or shotgun.
S7763 - Sponsor Memo
BILL NUMBER: S7763
An act to amend the penal law, in relation to enacting the Jose Webster
untraceable firearms act
Section 1 names the bill the "Jose Webster Untraceable Firearms Act".
Section 2 amends the definition of "gunsmith" under section 265.00 of
the penal law to clarify that it applies to anyone who assembles, manu-
factures, fabricates, builds, or fits together the component parts of a
firearm, rifle, or shotgun, no matter what purpose such gun is intended
Section 3 adds a new subdivision 31 to section 265.00 of the penal law
to define the term "ghost gun".
Section 4 adds a new subdivision 11 to section 265.02 of the penal law
the third degree (a Class D felony) when a person possesses a ghost gun,
Section 5 adds a new section 265.07 to the penal law entitled "Registra-
frames or receivers by gunsmiths". This section defines the term "unfin-
ished frame or receiver", and requires gunsmiths to serialize any
firearm, rifle, shotgun, or unfinished frame/receiver that they manufac-
ture or assemble in a manner that complies with federal requirements
imposed on licensed importers and manufacturers of firearms. It also
requires gunsmiths to register any firearm, rifle, shotgun, or unfin-
ished firearm frame or receiver they manufacture or assemble that would
not otherwise be subject to serialization and registration requirements
under federal law with the division of state police. Gunsmiths who
violate this section would be guilty of a Class C felony.
Section 6 adds a new subdivision 8 to section 265.10 of the penal law to
manufactures, fabricates, builds or fits together the component parts of
a firearm, rifle, shotgun is guilty of a Class C felony.
Section 7 adds three new sections (265.60, 265.61, 265.62) to the penal
law to establish the crimes of criminal sale of a ghost gun in the 3rd,
2nd, and 1" degrees (class D, C, and B felonies, respectively), with
exceptions allowing surrender to law enforcement or provision to
gunsmiths for serialization.
Section 8 provides the effective date of the bill (120 days after enact-
New Jersey passed a similar law in 2018, and their law enforcement offi-
cials have already made use of it, charging four defendants in March
2019 for smuggling parts from Pennsylvania into New Jersey to be used to
manufacture AR-15 style assault rifles.  New York must take aggressive
action against the growing threat that ghost guns pose to the safety and
well-being of its residents.
This bill would prohibit the possession of ghost guns by anyone other
than a licensed gunsmith, prohibit the sale of ghost guns entirely, and
require anyone manufacturing or assembling a firearm in New York to be a
licensed gunsmith. It would also require New York gunsmiths to serialize
any firearms, rifles, shotguns, and unfinished firearm frames or receiv-
ers they manufacture or assemble, and register those not otherwise
covered under federal law with the Division of State Police.
S7763 - Bill Text download pdf
Introduced  by  Sens. HOYLMAN, KAPLAN -- read twice and ordered printed,
AN ACT to amend the penal law, in relation to enacting the Jose  Webster
Section 1. This act shall be known and  may  be  cited  as  the  "Jose
Webster untraceable firearms act".
§  2.  Subdivision 8 of section 265.00 of the penal law, as amended by
nition feeding device  or  machine-gun.  "GUNSMITH"  SHALL  INCLUDE  ANY
31. "GHOST GUN" MEANS A FIREARM, RIFLE OR SHOTGUN THAT DOES NOT COMPLY
THIS SECTION, AS ADDED BY CHAPTER NINE HUNDRED EIGHTY-SIX OF THE LAWS OF
NINETEEN HUNDRED SEVENTY-FOUR, OR ANY FIREARM, RIFLE OR SHOTGUN MANUFAC-
TURED PRIOR TO NINETEEN HUNDRED SIXTY-EIGHT.
§ 4. Subdivision 10 of section 265.02 of the penal law,  as  added  by
chapter  1  of  the laws of 2013, is amended and a new subdivision 11 is
LBD15385-03-0
S. 7763                             2
(10) Such person possesses an unloaded firearm and  also  commits  any
(11)  SUCH  PERSON IS NOT A GUNSMITH DULY LICENSED PURSUANT TO SECTION
400.00 OF THIS CHAPTER AND POSSESSES A GHOST GUN, PROVIDED  THAT  FOR  A
PERIOD  OF  SIX  MONTHS  AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SUBDIVISION, A
PERSON SHALL NOT BE GUILTY OF CRIMINAL POSSESSION OF  A  WEAPON  IN  THE
THIRD  DEGREE  WHEN SUCH PERSON POSSESSES A GHOST GUN DURING THE PROCESS
OF PROVIDING SUCH GHOST GUN TO A  GUNSMITH  DULY  LICENSED  PURSUANT  TO
SECTION 400.00 OF THIS CHAPTER FOR THE PURPOSES OF HAVING SUCH GHOST GUN
SERIALIZED AND REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 265.07 OF THIS ARTICLE.
§  5.  The penal law is amended by adding a new section 265.07 to read
§ 265.07 REGISTRATION AND SERIALIZATION OF  FIREARMS,  RIFLES,  SHOTGUNS
AND UNFINISHED FRAMES OR RECEIVERS BY GUNSMITHS.
(1)  FOR  THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, "UNFINISHED FRAME OR RECEIVER"
MEANS A PIECE OF ANY MATERIAL THAT DOES  NOT  CONSTITUTE  THE  FRAME  OR
RECEIVER  OF  A  FIREARM,  RIFLE  OR SHOTGUN BUT THAT HAS BEEN SHAPED OR
FORMED IN ANY WAY FOR THE PURPOSE OF BECOMING THE FRAME OR RECEIVER OF A
FIREARM, RIFLE OR SHOTGUN, AND WHICH MAY READILY BE MADE  INTO  A  FUNC-
TIONAL  FRAME OR RECEIVER THROUGH MILLING, DRILLING OR OTHER MEANS.  THE
TERM SHALL NOT INCLUDE A PIECE OF MATERIAL THAT  HAS  HAD  ITS  SIZE  OR
EXTERNAL  SHAPE  ALTERED  TO FACILITATE TRANSPORTATION OR STORAGE OR HAS
(2) A GUNSMITH SHALL ENGRAVE, CAST, STAMP OR  OTHERWISE  CONSPICUOUSLY
PLACE  BOTH  A  UNIQUE  SERIAL NUMBER AND HIS OR HER NAME (OR RECOGNIZED
ABBREVIATION) ON ANY FIREARM, RIFLE,  SHOTGUN  OR  UNFINISHED  FRAME  OR
RECEIVER THAT HE OR SHE MANUFACTURES, ASSEMBLES OR CAUSES TO BE MANUFAC-
TURED  OR ASSEMBLED AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION, REGARDLESS
OF THE MANNER OF MANUFACTURING OR ASSEMBLY, IN A MANNER  THAT  SATISFIES
OR  EXCEEDS  THE REQUIREMENTS IMPOSED ON LICENSED IMPORTERS AND LICENSED
MANUFACTURERS PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (I) OF SECTION 923 OF TITLE  18  OF
(3)  A  GUNSMITH  SHALL REGISTER WITH THE DIVISION OF STATE POLICE ANY
FIREARM, RIFLE, SHOTGUN OR UNFINISHED FRAME OR RECEIVER THAT HE  OR  SHE
MANUFACTURES,  ASSEMBLES OR CAUSES TO BE MANUFACTURED OR ASSEMBLED AFTER
THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION, REGARDLESS OF THE MANNER OF MANUFAC-
TURING OR ASSEMBLY, THAT WOULD NOT OTHERWISE BE SUBJECT TO THE  REQUIRE-
MENTS  IMPOSED ON LICENSED IMPORTERS AND LICENSED MANUFACTURERS PURSUANT
TO SUBSECTION (I) OF SECTION 923 OF TITLE 18 OF THE UNITED  STATES  CODE
AND  REGULATIONS ISSUED PURSUANT THERETO. FOR EACH FIREARM, RIFLE, SHOT-
GUN OR UNFINISHED FRAME OR RECEIVER SO  REGISTERED,  RECORDS  REFLECTING
THE  IDENTITY OF THE MANUFACTURING OR ASSEMBLING GUNSMITH AND THE SERIAL
NUMBER OF SUCH FIREARM, RIFLE, SHOTGUN OR UNFINISHED FRAME  OR  RECEIVER
SHALL  BE  INCLUDED  IN THE STATEWIDE LICENSE AND RECORD DATABASE ESTAB-
LISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION 400.02 OF THIS CHAPTER.
ANY GUNSMITH WHO FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF  THIS  SECTION
§ 6. Section 265.10 of the penal law is amended by adding a new subdi-
400.00 OF THIS CHAPTER WHO ASSEMBLES, MANUFACTURES,  FABRICATES,  BUILDS
OR  FITS  TOGETHER THE COMPONENT PARTS OF A FIREARM, RIFLE OR SHOTGUN IS
§ 7. The penal law is amended by adding  three  new  sections  265.60,
265.61 and 265.62 to read as follows:
S. 7763                             3
§ 8. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after
S7763A (ACTIVE) - Details
S7763A (ACTIVE) - Summary
S7763A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo
BILL NUMBER: S7763a
for, but does not apply to a person .
tion and serialization of firearms, rifles, shotguns, finished frames or
receivers, and unfinished frames or receivers by gunsmiths". This
section defines the term "unfinished frame or receiver", and requires
gunsmiths to serialize any firearm, rifle, shotgun, finished frame or
receiver, or unfinished frame/receiver that they manufacture or assemble
in a manner that complies with federal requirements imposed on licensed
importers and manufacturers of firearms. It also requires gunsmiths to
register any firearm, rifle, shotgun, finished frame or receiver, or
unfinished firearm frame or receiver they manufacture or assemble that
would not otherwise be subject to serialization and registration
requirements under federal law with the division of state police.
Gunsmiths who violate this section would be guilty of a Class C felony.
Section 8 amends certain subdivisions of Section 400.00 of the Penal Law
to make technical changes consistent with the other provisions of the
Section 9 establishes the effective date of the bill.
manufacture AR-15 style assault rifles. New York must take aggressive
S7763A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf
7763--A
Introduced  by  Sens.  HOYLMAN,  KAPLAN,  BIAGGI, GOUNARDES, LIU -- read
Committee  on  Codes  --  reported  favorably  from said committee and
committed to the Committee on  Rules  --  committee  discharged,  bill
8. "Gunsmith" means (A) any person, firm, partnership, corporation  or
nition feeding device or machine-gun; OR (B) ANY PERSON  WHO  ASSEMBLES,
MANUFACTURES,  FABRICATES,  BUILDS, OR FITS TOGETHER THE COMPONENT PARTS
OF A FIREARM, RIFLE OR SHOTGUN, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE FIREARM, RIFLE
OR SHOTGUN IS INTENDED FOR PERSONAL USE,  COMMERCIAL  SALE  OR  FOR  ANY
OTHER  PURPOSE.    "GUNSMITH"  SHALL NOT INCLUDE ANY PERSON WHO PERFORMS
ROUTINE CLEANING OR MAINTENANCE ON A LAWFULLY POSSESSED  FIREARM,  RIFLE
OR SHOTGUN FOR NON-COMMERCIAL PURPOSES.
LBD15385-06-0
S. 7763--A                          2
§  4.  Subdivision  10 of section 265.02 of the penal law, as added by
400.00  OF  THIS  CHAPTER AND POSSESSES A GHOST GUN, PROVIDED THAT FOR A
PERIOD OF SIX MONTHS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE  OF  THIS  SUBDIVISION,  A
PERSON  SHALL  NOT  BE  GUILTY OF CRIMINAL POSSESSION OF A WEAPON IN THE
THIRD DEGREE WHEN SUCH PERSON POSSESSES A GHOST GUN DURING  THE  PROCESS
OF  PROVIDING  SUCH  GHOST  GUN  TO A GUNSMITH DULY LICENSED PURSUANT TO
§ 5. The penal law is amended by adding a new section 265.07  to  read
§ 265.07 REGISTRATION  AND  SERIALIZATION OF FIREARMS, RIFLES, SHOTGUNS,
FINISHED  FRAMES  OR  RECEIVERS,  AND  UNFINISHED  FRAMES  OR
RECEIVERS BY GUNSMITHS.
ABBREVIATION) ON ANY FIREARM, RIFLE, SHOTGUN, FINISHED FRAME OR  RECEIV-
ER,  OR UNFINISHED FRAME OR RECEIVER THAT HE OR SHE MANUFACTURES, ASSEM-
BLES OR CAUSES TO BE MANUFACTURED OR ASSEMBLED AFTER THE EFFECTIVE  DATE
OF  THIS SECTION, REGARDLESS OF THE MANNER OF MANUFACTURING OR ASSEMBLY,
IN A MANNER THAT  SATISFIES  OR  EXCEEDS  THE  REQUIREMENTS  IMPOSED  ON
LICENSED IMPORTERS AND LICENSED MANUFACTURERS PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (I)
OF  SECTION  923  OF  TITLE 18 OF THE UNITED STATES CODE AND REGULATIONS
(3) A GUNSMITH SHALL REGISTER WITH THE DIVISION OF  STATE  POLICE  ANY
FIREARM, RIFLE, SHOTGUN, FINISHED FRAME OR RECEIVER, OR UNFINISHED FRAME
LESS OF THE MANNER OF MANUFACTURING OR ASSEMBLY, THAT WOULD  NOT  OTHER-
WISE  BE  SUBJECT  TO THE REQUIREMENTS IMPOSED ON LICENSED IMPORTERS AND
LICENSED MANUFACTURERS PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION  (I)  OF  SECTION  923  OF
ANY  GUNSMITH  WHO FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION
8. ANY PERSON OTHER THAN A GUNSMITH DULY LICENSED PURSUANT TO  SECTION
400.00  OF  THIS CHAPTER WHO ASSEMBLES, MANUFACTURES, FABRICATES, BUILDS
OR FITS TOGETHER THE COMPONENT PARTS OF A  FIREARM,  RIFLE  OR  SHOTGUN,
S. 7763--A                          3
OTHER  THAN  FOR  THE PURPOSES OF PERFORMING ROUTINE CLEANING OR MAINTE-
NANCE ON A LAWFULLY POSSESSED FIREARM, RIFLE OR SHOTGUN FOR  NON-COMMER-
CIAL PURPOSES, IS GUILTY OF A CLASS C FELONY.
§  7.  The  penal  law is amended by adding three new sections 265.60,
PERSON  IS  GUILTY  OF  CRIMINAL SALE OF A GHOST GUN IN THE THIRD DEGREE
CIAL DESIGNATED PURSUANT TO SUBPARAGRAPH (F) OF PARAGRAPH ONE OF  SUBDI-
PROVIDES SUCH GHOST GUN TO A GUNSMITH DULY LICENSED PURSUANT TO  SECTION
PERSON IS GUILTY OF CRIMINAL SALE OF A GHOST GUN IN  THE  SECOND  DEGREE
PERSON  IS  GUILTY  OF  CRIMINAL SALE OF A GHOST GUN IN THE FIRST DEGREE
§  8.  Subdivisions  1,  2, 3, and 12-a of section 400.00 of the penal
law, subdivision 1 and paragraph (a) of  subdivision  3  as  amended  by
chapter 1 of the laws of 2013, paragraph (c) of subdivision 1 as amended
S. 7763--A                          4
by  chapter  60 of the laws of 2018, subdivision 2 as amended by chapter
189 of the laws of 2000, paragraph (b) of  subdivision  3  as  added  by
chapter  778 of the laws of 1985, and subdivision 12-a as added by chap-
ter 1042 of the laws of 1974, are amended to read as follows:
anywhere  of  a felony or a serious offense or who is not the subject of
felony or serious offense; (d) who is not a fugitive from  justice;  (e)
(j) who has not been involuntarily committed to  a  facility  under  the
jurisdiction  of  an office of the department of mental hygiene pursuant
to article nine or fifteen of the  mental  hygiene  law,  article  seven
required  to  have  completed a firearms safety course and test; (m) who
has not had a  guardian  appointed  for  him  or  her  pursuant  to  any
provision  of  state  law,  based on a determination that as a result of
marked subnormal intelligence, mental illness, incapacity, condition  or
disease,  he  or she lacks the mental capacity to contract or manage his
gunsmith  or  dealer  in firearms, NOR ASSEMBLE, MANUFACTURE, FABRICATE,
BUILD, OR FIT TOGETHER THE COMPONENT PARTS OF A FIREARM, RIFLE, OR SHOT-
GUN, OTHER THAN FOR THE PURPOSES OF PERFORMING ROUTINE CLEANING OR MAIN-
S. 7763--A                          5
TENANCE ON A LAWFULLY POSSESSED FIREARM, RIFLE, OR SHOTGUN FOR  NON-COM-
MERCIAL PURPOSES, unless licensed pursuant to this section. An applicant
to engage in such business shall also be a citizen of the United States,
2. Types of licenses. A license for gunsmith SHALL BE ISSUED TO ENGAGE
IN SUCH BUSINESS or TO ASSEMBLE, MANUFACTURE, FABRICATE, BUILD,  OR  FIT
TOGETHER THE COMPONENT PARTS OF A FIREARM, RIFLE OR SHOTGUN FOR NON-COM-
MERCIAL  PURPOSES,  AND A LICENSE FOR dealer in firearms shall be issued
to engage in such business. A license for a pistol  or  revolver,  other
than  an  assault weapon or a disguised gun, shall be issued to (a) have
and possess in his dwelling by a householder; (b) have  and  possess  in
his  place  of business by a merchant or storekeeper; (c) have and carry
concealed while so employed by a messenger employed by a banking  insti-
tution  or express company; (d) have and carry concealed by a justice of
the supreme court in the first or second judicial departments, or  by  a
judge  of  the  New  York city civil court or the New York city criminal
court; (e) have and carry concealed  while  so  employed  by  a  regular
employee of an institution of the state, or of any county, city, town or
village,  under  control  of a commissioner of correction of the city or
any warden, superintendent or head keeper of any state prison,  peniten-
tiary,  workhouse, county jail or other institution for the detention of
persons convicted or accused of crime or held as witnesses  in  criminal
cases,  provided that application is made therefor by such commissioner,
warden, superintendent or head keeper; (f)  have  and  carry  concealed,
without  regard to employment or place of possession, by any person when
proper cause exists for the issuance thereof;  and  (g)  have,  possess,
collect  and carry antique pistols which are defined as follows: (i) any
single shot, muzzle loading pistol with a matchlock, flintlock,  percus-
sion  cap,  or similar type of ignition system manufactured in or before
l898, which is not designed for using rimfire or conventional centerfire
fixed ammunition; and (ii) any replica of any pistol described in clause
(i) hereof if such replica--
where  such place of business is located, OR FOR A PERSON APPLYING FOR A
LICENSE AS GUNSMITH IN ORDER TO ASSEMBLE, MANUFACTURE, FABRICATE, BUILD,
OR FIT TOGETHER THE COMPONENT PARTS OF A FIREARM, RIFLE, OR SHOTGUN  FOR
NON-COMMERCIAL PURPOSES, TO THE LICENSING OFFICER IN THE CITY OR COUNTY,
AS  THE CASE MAY BE, WHERE THE PREMISES UPON WHICH THE APPLICANT INTENDS
TO ENGAGE IN SUCH  ACTIVITIES  IS  LOCATED.  Blank  applications  shall,
intendent of state police. An application shall  state  the  full  name,
date  of birth, residence, present occupation of each person or individ-
S. 7763--A                          6
ual signing the same, whether or not he or  she  is  a  citizen  of  the
United  States,  whether or not he or she complies with each requirement
for eligibility specified in subdivision one of this  section  and  such
other  facts  as  may be required to show the good character, competency
and integrity of each person or individual signing the  application.  An
application shall be signed and verified by the applicant. Each individ-
ual  signing  an  application  shall submit one photograph of himself or
herself and a duplicate for each required copy of the application.  Such
photographs shall have been taken within thirty days prior to filing the
application. In case of a license as gunsmith or dealer in firearms, the
photographs  submitted  shall  be two inches square, and the application
shall also state the previous occupation of each individual signing  the
same  and  the location of the place of such business, IF APPLICABLE, or
of the bureau, agency, subagency, office or branch office for which  the
license  is  sought,  specifying  the name of the city, town or village,
indicating  the  street  and  number  and  otherwise  giving  such   apt
description  as  to  point  out reasonably the location thereof. In such
same, and for such corporation, by each officer thereof.  IN THE CASE OF
A PERSON APPLYING FOR A LICENSE AS GUNSMITH IN ORDER TO ASSEMBLE,  MANU-
FACTURE,  FABRICATE,  BUILD,  OR  FIT  TOGETHER THE COMPONENT PARTS OF A
FIREARM, RIFLE, OR SHOTGUN FOR NON-COMMERCIAL  PURPOSES,  THE  APPLICANT
SHALL  STATE  THE LOCATION OF THE PLACE OF THE PREMISES WHERE THE APPLI-
CANT INTENDS TO ENGAGE IN SUCH ACTIVITIES, SPECIFYING THE  NAME  OF  THE
CITY,  TOWN  OR  VILLAGE, INDICATING THE STREET AND NUMBER AND OTHERWISE
GIVING APT DESCRIPTION AS TO POINT OUT REASONABLY THE LOCATION THEREOF.
(b) Application for an exemption under paragraph seven-b  of  subdivi-
sion  a  of  section  265.20 of this chapter. Each applicant desiring to
obtain the exemption set forth in paragraph seven-b of subdivision a  of
section 265.20 of this chapter shall make such request in writing of the
licensing  officer  with whom his application for a license is filed, at
the time of filing such application. Such request shall include a signed
and verified statement by the person authorized to instruct  and  super-
vise  the  applicant,  that  has  met with the applicant and that he has
determined that, in his judgment, said applicant does not appear  to  be
or  poses  a  threat  to  be, a danger to himself or to others. He shall
include a copy of his certificate as an instructor in small arms, if  he
He  shall  specify  the  exact  location  by name, address and telephone
number where such instruction will take place.  Such  licensing  officer
shall,  no  later  than ten business days after such filing, request the
tion  is  made to investigate and ascertain any previous criminal record
of the applicant pursuant to subdivision four of  this  section.    Upon
completion  of this investigation, the police authority shall report the
results to the licensing officer without unnecessary delay. The  licens-
ing  officer  shall no later than ten business days after the receipt of
such investigation, determine  if  the  applicant  has  been  previously
denied  a  license,  been  convicted of a felony, or been convicted of a
serious offense, and either approve  or  disapprove  the  applicant  for
exemption  purposes  based upon such determinations. If the applicant is
approved for the exemption,  the  licensing  officer  shall  notify  the
appropriate  duly constituted police authorities and the applicant. Such
S. 7763--A                          7
exemption shall terminate if the application for the license is  denied,
or  at  any  earlier  time  based  upon  any information obtained by the
licensing officer or the  appropriate  police  authorities  which  would
cause  the  license  to  be denied. The applicant and appropriate police
person licensed as a gunsmith under this section [engaged in  the  busi-
ness of manufacturing or assembling firearms,] and any violation thereof
shall subject the licensee to revocation of license pursuant to subdivi-
sion eleven of this section.
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