Bill
Bill > A01598
NY A01598
NY A01598Creates a civil cause of action for the manufacture, sale, or distribution of assault weapons or ghost guns within the state; aiding and abetting such manufacture, sale or distribution; or intending to aid and abet in such manufacture, sale or distribution; provides for a civil remedy of ten thousand dollars per violation.
summary
Introduced
01/10/2025
01/10/2025
In Committee
01/10/2025
01/10/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 General Assembly
Bill Summary
AN ACT to amend the civil practice law and rules, in relation to creating a civil cause of action for the manufacture, sale, or distribution of assault weapons or ghost guns within the state
AI Summary
This bill creates a new civil legal mechanism allowing private individuals to sue entities involved in manufacturing, selling, distributing, or aiding and abetting the manufacture, sale, or distribution of assault weapons or "ghost guns" (privately made firearms without serial numbers) within New York State. Specifically, plaintiffs can bring a civil lawsuit within four years of a violation and, if successful, can receive statutory damages of at least $10,000 per violation, injunctive relief to prevent future violations, and attorney's fees. The bill establishes several key provisions that limit potential defenses, such as prohibiting defendants from claiming ignorance of the law, believing the requirements are unconstitutional, or relying on overruled court decisions. The law also includes affirmative defenses for defendants who reasonably believed an individual would comply with applicable laws after conducting a reasonable investigation. Importantly, the bill stipulates that state officials cannot intervene in these private lawsuits, though they may file an amicus curiae brief, and courts cannot award costs or attorney's fees to defendants. The legislation is designed to provide a civil enforcement mechanism for gun safety regulations, with a clear intent to create a legal pathway for holding manufacturers and distributors of certain firearms accountable.
Committee Categories
Housing and Urban Affairs
Sponsors (5)
Chantel Jackson (D)*,
Harvey Epstein (D),
Jessica González-Rojas (D),
Alicia Hyndman (D),
Yudelka Tapia (D),
Last Action
referred to codes (on 01/10/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
Document Type | Source Location |
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State Bill Page | https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A1598 |
BillText | https://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=&bn=A01598&term=2025&Summary=Y&Actions=Y&Text=Y&Committee%26nbspVotes=Y&Floor%26nbspVotes=Y#A01598 |
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