Bill > A05926

This bill, titled "Bans the sale, use or possession of 50-caliber or larger weapons and directs the division of state police to embark on a program whereby persons currently in lawful possession of such weapons may be reimbursed for the fair market value thereof upon turning such weapons in to a designated officer," aims to prohibit the sale, use, and possession of 50-caliber or larger weapons, defining a "50-CALIBER WEAPON" as a rifle capable of firing a center-fire cartridge of 50-caliber or larger, including .50 BMG caliber or any other metric equivalent, but excluding muzzle-loading rifles and shotguns. The bill amends various sections of the penal law to reflect this ban, making it a crime to possess, sell, or use these weapons, and establishing new criminal offenses related to their use. Additionally, it mandates the Division of State Police to create a program to compensate individuals who lawfully possess these weapons by offering reimbursement for their fair market value, up to $8,500, when they surrender them to a designated officer, and also requires licensed firearm dealers to return new 50-caliber weapons to distributors or manufacturers for a full refund or credit.