BILL NUMBER: S3385
SPONSOR: HOYLMAN-SIGAL
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the penal law, in relation to enacting "Francesco's
law"; and providing for the repeal of certain provisions of the penal
law relating to safely storing rifles, shotguns, and firearms
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To provide for penalties associated with the failure to safely store
rifles, shotguns and firearms.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Establishes the short title "Francesco's law".
Sections 2-6: Define the degree of penalties related to failure to safe-
ly store rifles, shotguns and firearms.
Section 7: This act shall take effect immediately.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Between 2016 and 2021, suicides accounted for 36% of firearm-related
deaths among children aged 10 to 19. Francesco tragically took his own
life on October 21, 2021 with an unsecured firearm. He was just 17 years
old and had been the victim of malicious rumors and cyberbullying
because of his sexual orientation.
Implementing and enforcing safe storage laws promotes a culture of
responsible gun ownership. It educates gun owners about the importance
of safety measures and encourages them to adopt best practices in
firearm storage, contributing to a safer society overall. Access to
firearms increases the risk of suicide. Studies have shown that individ-
uals are less likely to attempt suicide with a firearm if it is securely
stored and inaccessible. Safe storage practices can therefore be a
crucial component in suicide prevention efforts. Furthermore, 66% of
unintentional fatal firearm shootings involving children occurred when
the firearm was being handled or shown to someone else.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New legislation.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately, provided sections 2-6 shall take
effect on the ninetieth day after it has become law.

Statutes affected:
S3385: 265.46 penal law