New York lawmakers aim to expand gun storage rules

Albany, N.Y. – Democratic lawmakers want to expand New York’s gun storage law to cover homes with children.

The proposal expands the state’s existing safe storage law, which already applies to homes where there is a resident barred from owning a gun, such as a convicted felon or someone subject to a protective order, according to the Times Union in Albany.

To comply, gun owners must have a locking device for their firearms or store them in locked containers. Under the new proposal, the storage requirements would expand to cover any residence with children under age 16.

If the proposal passes, violating it could result in a misdemeanor charge, according to the Times Union.

Backers of the plan originally wanted to apply the storage rules to all gun owners, but that language was removed last week, the Times Union said. The proposal should pass in both the Senate and Assembly, said Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, a Westchester County Democrat who has sponsored the legislation for years.

The new rule would face stiff opposition from Second Amendment activists, according to the Times Union. The president of the New York State Pistol and Rifle Association said he’s doubtful the law would survive court challenges.

Paulin noted other states already have laws on the books that impose storage requirements on gun owners living with children.

The rule wouldn’t be proactively enforced, but Paulin said she was hopeful it would encourage safe storage of firearms, the Times Union said.

The Legislature passed several other new gun control measures earlier this year.

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