Bill > A03659

This bill amends the New York State Penal Law by changing the classification of criminal possession of a firearm from a class E felony to a class D felony. Specifically, the bill modifies Section 265.01-b to elevate the severity of the offense, which applies to individuals who possess a firearm or who lawfully possessed a firearm prior to a 2013 law and failed to register it as required by state law. The change in felony classification means that individuals convicted of criminal firearm possession would now face potentially more serious legal consequences, including potentially longer prison sentences and more significant long-term impacts on their criminal record. The bill will take effect 30 days after becoming law, and the language changes include minor technical adjustments such as replacing "he or she" with "such person" and making grammatical refinements to the existing statute.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A3659