New NYS law requires gun stores to post signs warning of potential risks

ALBANY — Gun stores will be required to post warnings that purchasing a firearm significantly raises the risk of suicide, fatal accidents to children and lethal domestic violence in people's homes, according to one of a package of bills signed into law Wednesday.

Another gun control bill signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul bans "pistol converters," which are devices that convert semiautomatic pistols into machine guns, and a third will create better monitoring of sales of firearms and ammunition.

The legislation that will require warning signs at gun stores is effective in December.

"Warning," the signs must state, "Access to a weapon or firearm in the home significantly increases the risk of suicide, death during domestic disputes, and/or unintentional deaths to children, household members and others. If you or a loved one is experiencing distress and/or depression, call the national suicide lifeline at 988."

The signs must be posted where firearms are sold, displayed or delivered and placed at the entrance to the site and in at least one other area where sales are made, under the law sponsored by State Sen. Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria) and Assemb. Jeffrey Dinowitz (D-Bronx).

The warning in writing also must be provided to purchasers at each sale and when a firearm license is issued, or a license or permit are amended.

Former Democratic Rep. Gabby Giffords of Arizona, a victim of a 2011 shooting in which six people died and 12 were injured, said the New York State law will save lives.

"New Yorkers deserve to live free from the fear of gun violence," said Giffords, a gun control advocate.

Failure to post and provide the warning to firearms buyers would carry a fine of up to $1,000 and 15 days in jail. The fine and jail time would be compounded for each day the warning isn’t posted or provided to buyers.

Local governments can impose more strict measures. Westchester County has required similar warnings in gun stores since 2022.

"By providing this information and directing individuals in crisis to the [988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline], we are equipping people with the resources they need to make informed decisions and keep their loved ones safe," Dinowitz said.

The floor debates over the bill in the State Legislature included several Republicans opposed to the measure.

Assemb. Angelo Morinello (R-Niagara Falls) argued there are no similar warnings at stores selling ropes or knives, even though both can be used in suicides.

"Most people know what these dangers are," Morinello said in June. "This is an additional attempt to implement gun control in the State of New York."

Under another law adopted Wednesday, "pistol converters" are banned.

The devices alter legal semiautomatic pistols to allow the handguns to fire on full automatic mode, shooting far more bullets with a single pull on the trigger. The measure also requires the firearms industry to take "reasonable steps" to prevent the installation of pistol converters, according to the measure sponsored by Assemb. Jo Anne Simon (D-Brooklyn) and State Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal (D-Manhattan).

"It's outrageous that for as little as fifty bucks you can buy a device that transforms a regular pistol into a machine gun capable of firing 15 rounds in under two seconds," Hoylman-Sigal said.

A third gun control law will require special coding in credit card transactions to show when firearms and ammunition is purchased. The law is intended to allow financial institutions to flag "suspicious purchasing patterns" which could show a pattern of risk of public shootings. Law enforcement could then be notified.

The measure cosponsored by Assemb. Michaelle C. Solages (D-Elmont) cites some past public shootings in which credit purchases, checked after the tragedies, revealed unusually large purchases of weapons and ammunition.

"This legislation creates a valuable new tool to help stop the proliferation of gun violence in New York," Solages said of the measure cosponsored by State Sen. Zellnor Myrie (D-Brooklyn). "Enhancing recognition of these dangerous trends empowers law enforcement to act decisively to prevent future tragedies."

By Michael Gormley

michael.gormley@newsday.com@GormleyAlbany

Michael Gormley has worked for Newsday since 2013, covering state government, politics and issues. He has covered Albany since 2001.