New York Governor unveils tighter gun rules as federal regulations are rolled back
Governor Kathy Hochul announced a package of gun-control initiatives, including stricter dealer inspections and a push for in-person firearm sales, in reaction to recent ATF deregulation.
In response to the ATF's decision to undo dozens of federal firearm rules, Governor Kathy Hochul presented a series of state-level actions to reinforce New York's gun-control framework. The governor ordered the New York State Police to prioritize inspections of dealers tied to criminal use of guns and rolled out an education drive to alert sellers that state statutes remain in force. She indicated she will file a bill in the upcoming legislative session that would mandate in-person sales of firearms, bringing the process in line with the current requirement for ammunition purchases.
Another proposal seeks to tighten background-check procedures for gun buyers to match the stricter standards already applied to ammo sales. Hochul criticized the federal rollbacks as a giveaway to the gun lobby and warned they could increase illegal trafficking. The initiatives are expected to encounter opposition from Republican lawmakers and Second Amendment advocacy groups. Earlier state actions include a 2021 law banning untraceable "ghost guns" and a 2023 budget provision targeting 3D-printed firearms.
Why it matters
The proposals could reshape how firearms are bought and monitored in New York, affecting gun dealers and buyers statewide.
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