S9456 firearm definition

S.9456/A.10504  defining firearm [link] :  

Relates to defining firearm; provides that the term firearm shall also include any other weapon that is not otherwise defined containing any component that provides housing or a structure designed to hold or integrate any fire control component that is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by action of explosive. 

Section 1. Subdivision 3 of  section  265.00  of  the  penal  law,  as  amended  by  chapter  189  of  the  laws  of 2000, is amended to read as  follows:    3. "Firearm" means (a) any pistol or revolver; or (b) a shotgun having  one or more barrels less than eighteen inches in length; or (c) a  rifle  having  one  or  more barrels less than sixteen inches in length; or (d)  any weapon made from a shotgun or rifle whether by alteration, modifica-  tion, or otherwise if such weapon as altered, modified, or otherwise has  an overall length of less than twenty-six  inches;  or  (e)  an  assault  weapon;  OR  (F)  ANY OTHER WEAPON THAT IS NOT OTHERWISE DEFINED IN THIS  SECTION CONTAINING ANY COMPONENT THAT PROVIDES HOUSING  OR  A  STRUCTURE  DESIGNED  TO  HOLD  OR  INTEGRATE  ANY  FIRE  CONTROL  COMPONENT THAT IS  DESIGNED TO OR MAY READILY BE CONVERTED TO EXPEL A PROJECTILE BY  ACTION  OF  EXPLOSIVE.  For  the  purpose  of this subdivision the length of the  barrel on a shotgun or  rifle  shall  be  determined  by  measuring  the  distance between the muzzle and the face of the bolt, breech, or breech-  lock  when  closed  and when the shotgun or rifle is cocked; the overall  length of a weapon made from a shotgun or rifle is the distance  between  the  extreme  ends  of  the weapon measured along a line parallel to the  center line of the bore. Firearm does not include an antique firearm.    § 2. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day  after  it  shall  have become a law.

Historically, law abiding citizens would use deficiencies in the NY gun laws to legally own certain guns commonly available in other states. This new law attempts to remove those deficiencies, but in the process makes felons of hundreds or thousands of law abiding citizens who already own these guns. For example Mossberg [link] [link] makes a pump action shotgun for home defense that is sold at Bass Pro Shops [link] that was confirmed to be legal in NY in our court system in January 2021 and may be illegal 18 months later under this law, when it goes into effect in July. Then owners would be felons if tried and convicted as there is no grandfathering clause to ensure law abiding citizens are protected from undue prosecution.  

This law goes into effect 30 days after signature, so 7/6/2022.