BILL NUMBER: S4420
SPONSOR: MAY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the general business law, in relation to prohibiting gun
industry members from directly advertising, marketing, promoting,
designing, or selling certain firearm-related products in a manner that
would encourage unlawful purchase, possession, or use by underage indi-
viduals
 
PURPOSE:
To restrict advertising, marketing, promotion, design, and sale of guns
to underage individuals.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 adds a new paragraph to Section 898-b of the general business
law: Prohibits the gun industry from marketing products in a way that
reasonably appears to encourage underage purchase, possession, or use of
qualified firearms.
Section 2 amends Section 898-a of the general business law to define
"underage individual" as an individual below the lawful age to purchase,
possess, or use a qualified product.
Section 3 sets the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Gun violence and mass shootings continue to plague the nation, especial-
ly among young people, and is a threat to public health and safety. One
firearm manufacturer is adding to the problem with the introduction of a
new gun called "JR-15," a semi-automatic rifle that resembles a small
AR-15. This weapon has been called a "youth training rifle," and the
manufacturer even boasted on its website that it is "geared towards
smaller enthusiasts." Logos and graphics on the rifles were cartoonish
and included images designed to appeal to youth, including skulls and
crossbones with pacifiers. These marketing tactics are deeply troubling.
New York has been at the forefront of the fight against gun violence.
As a result, the state ranked second in the country for the lowest rate
of child and teen deaths by firearms for the years 2011 to 2020, accord-
ing to a recent CDC report. In continuing this legacy, New York should
not tolerate marketing to people who cannot purchase, own, or possess
such items.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-2024 - S.7640 (May)
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None to the state.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately

Statutes affected:
S4420: 898-b general business law, 898-a general business law