News|Legal News
By Drew Bryant
June 13th, 2024, theloadoutblog.com
The leadership of New York has just passed Senate Bill S6649, which requires the state’s firearm retailers to warn customers about the consequences of firearm misuse. The new bill, awaiting Governor Kathy Hochul’s signature, mandates that retailers must:
“… post a notice where weapons or firearms are sold, displayed, or delivered, at the entrance to the site, and in at least one additional area where sales occur, conspicuously stating: ‘WARNING: 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 PREVENTION LIFELINE AT 988.’ This paragraph also requires the notice to be distributed to a purchaser at the time of each individual sale and when a licensing officer issues or amends a firearm or weapon license and/or permit.”
Moving forward, gun stores in New York will have to post at least two signs with this warning and provide a pamphlet containing this information with each firearm purchase.
Senate Bill S6649 also states that “licensing officers, local governments, or employees thereof” are not liable for any injuries or damages that result from a firearm retailer not displaying the information. The bill outlines the consequences for firearm retailers who do not comply with the new law: “Failure to comply with any provision of this subdivision is a violation punishable by imprisonment of up to fifteen days and/or a fine of up to one thousand dollars, with each day that a violation continues to be deemed a separate offense.”
To read the rest of NY Senate Bill S6649, click here. After Governor Hochul signs this bill, it will become law in 90 days.