Requires notification of firearm denials to local law enforcement and the local prosecutor having jurisdiction where the prohibited person sought to acquire…

Showing the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.

• Democratic1

Shown in neutral colors by design; Agora is non-partisan.

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Brian Kavanagh says this is needed

When a prohibited person attempts to purchase a firearm, it raises seri- ous public safety concerns and warrants prompt law enforcement atten- tion. Federal law recognizes this risk by requiring notification to local law enforcement and prosecutors within 24 hours of a denied purchase in states where the FBI operates the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to trigger a potential criminal investi- gation. Evidence supports this approach, with a Department of Justice study funding that nearly 30 percent of prohibited purchasers were rear- rested within five years. New York data further shows that hundreds of individuals prohibited due to domestic violence convictions or orders of protection have attempted to purchase firearms in recent years. However, because New York is a "point of contact" state, wherein the division of state police functions as an intermediary between Federal Firearm Licensees and the FBI, it is not subject to the federal notifi- cation mandate, leaving a critical gap in enforcement. While several other NICS-operating states have addressed this gap by enacting their own notification laws, New York has not. Requiring the State Police to notify local law enforcement and prosecutors following a denial would align New York with best practices, close this enforcement gap, and enhance public safety by ensuring timely investigation of prohibited firearm purchase attempts.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.