Criminal Justice (Firearms)

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 10, 2025

S 18: Relates to authorizing bail and pre-trial detention for arson felonies

This bill (S 18, "Billy's Law") amends New York's criminal procedure law to require judges to consider bail or pre-trial detention for individuals charged with specific arson felonies. It directly affects people facing charges for arson in the fourth degree (penal law §150.05) or arson in the third degree (penal law §150.10) during pre-trial proceedings. The key provision adds these arson offenses to existing categories where judges may deny release - such as for certain violent crimes or firearm charges - without requiring the defendant to prove they won't flee. Judges must still assess if the defendant poses a risk, but the bill makes arson felonies automatically subject to these detention considerations. The law takes effect 90 days after enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRequires pre-trial detention consideration for arson offenses, restricting defendant bail rights and increasing pre-trial detention likelihood.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5853: Relates to criminal possession of a flamethrower

This bill makes it a felony to possess a flamethrower, defined as a device projecting burning fuel at least three feet. It specifically excludes inoperable displays, historical flamethrowers (constructed before 1966 with at least five key functional parts), and devices used for agriculture or construction. The law also does not apply to flamethrowers owned before the law takes effect or to modifying components like fuel cells. It directly affects individuals owning modern flamethrowers not covered by the exemptions, while protecting collectors of historical models and certain professional uses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill criminalizes flamethrower possession, expanding criminalization scope without reform elements or protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1013: Includes certain violations involving the use of a firearm as qualifying offenses for the purpose of imposing bail

Includes certain violations involving the use of a machine-gun, firearm silencer, firearm, rifle, shotgun, disguised gun, ghost gun or assault weapon as qualifying offenses for the purpose of imposing bail.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands bail restrictions for firearm offenses, increasing pretrial detention and reducing defendant rights without reform elements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5911: Enhances the penalties for crimes committed during a riot

This bill (S 5911) raises penalties for riot-related offenses by reclassifying them as felonies. It upgrades "riot in the first degree" to a class D felony, "riot in the second degree" and "inciting to riot" to class E felonies (previously misdemeanors). The bill also adds new provisions linking riot offenses to other charges, such as arson committed during a riot or possessing a firearm while engaging in riot-related conduct. These changes directly affect individuals convicted of riot-related crimes, increasing potential prison sentences and criminal penalties. The bill focuses on adjusting existing legal classifications without creating new offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties by reclassifying riot offenses as felonies and expanding criminalization, directly opposing reform-focused criminal justice principles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7419: Relates to securing orders for certain firearms offenses

This bill, S 7419, amends the criminal procedure law concerning when courts can order an individual accused of certain felony firearm offenses to be held in custody. It expands the category of "criminal possession of a firearm or weapon" offenses that qualify for such orders, moving from only third-degree possession to any felony offense under Article 265 of the penal law. Concurrently, the bill removes "criminal sale of a firearm to a minor" from the specific list of offenses that allow for a court to remand a defendant to the sheriff's custody. These changes directly affect individuals charged with these felony offenses and the courts determining their pre-trial status.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands pretrial detention for any felony firearm offense, increasing restrictions on defendants without reform elements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3316: Relates to the unlawful wearing of a body vest

This bill makes it a crime to wear body armor while committing any offense involving a deadly weapon (like a firearm). It directly affects individuals who wear body armor during crimes involving weapons, creating a new offense separate from the underlying crime. The key provision requires courts to impose consecutive sentences for this new "unlawful wearing of body armor" offense, meaning the jail time for this specific act runs after the sentence for the original crime. The law applies to both misdemeanors and felonies committed with a deadly weapon while wearing body armor.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill mandates consecutive sentences for unlawful body armor use during weapon offenses, increasing penalties and expanding criminalization without reform elements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Firearms

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7076: Increases certain penalties for certain crimes relating to criminal possession of a weapon or firearm and to the release of information pertaining to youthful and adolescent offenders; repealer

Increases certain penalties for certain crimes relating to criminal possession of a weapon or firearm; relates to the release of information to the public, schools or law enforcement pertaining to youthful and adolescent offenders; establishes the crime of criminal solicitation of a minor in a violent felony; repeals certain provisions relating to disclosure of law enforcement arrest or booking photographs of an individual.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for weapon crimes and creates new offenses (criminal solicitation of minors), directly expanding criminalization and harsher sentencing per 'oppose' indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Juvenile Justice

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7460: Relates to securing orders for certain firearms offenses

This New York state bill (A 7460) requires courts to hold defendants in custody (remand to sheriff custody) before trial for specific felony firearm offenses. It directly affects individuals charged with crimes like third-degree criminal possession of a firearm or weapon, or selling firearms to minors. The key change is mandating pretrial jail detention for these offenses, rather than allowing release on bail. The bill amends three sections of New York's criminal procedure law to specify these offenses trigger this requirement. It does not change the penalties for the crimes themselves, only the court procedure for handling defendants charged with them.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates pretrial detention for firearm offenses, restricting defendant rights by eliminating bail options for specific charges like third-degree criminal possession.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Firearms

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