As used in this article and in article four hundred, the following
terms shall mean and include:
1. "Machine-gun" means a weapon of any description, irrespective of
size, by whatever name known, loaded or unloaded, from which a number of
shots or bullets may be rapidly or automatically discharged from a
magazine with one continuous pull of the trigger and includes a
sub-machine gun.
2. "Firearm silencer" means any instrument, attachment, weapon or
appliance for causing the firing of any gun, revolver, pistol or other
firearms to be silent, or intended to lessen or muffle the noise of the
firing of any gun, revolver, pistol or other firearms.
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,
modification, 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. 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
breechlock 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.
4. "Switchblade knife" means any knife which has a blade which opens
automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring or other
device in the handle of the knife.
5. "Gravity knife" means any knife which has a blade which is released
from the handle or sheath thereof by the force of gravity or the
application of centrifugal force which, when released, is locked in
place by means of a button, spring, lever or other device.
5-a. "Pilum ballistic knife" means any knife which has a blade which
can be projected from the handle by hand pressure applied to a button,
lever, spring or other device in the handle of the knife.
5-b. "Metal knuckle knife" means a weapon that, when closed, cannot
function as a set of metal knuckles, nor as a knife and when open, can
function as both a set of metal knuckles as well as a knife.
6. "Dispose of" means to dispose of, give, give away, lease-loan, keep
for sale, offer, offer for sale, sell, transfer and otherwise dispose
of.
7. "Deface" means to remove, deface, cover, alter or destroy the
manufacturer`s serial number or any other distinguishing number or
identification mark.
8. "Gunsmith" means any person, firm, partnership, corporation or
company who engages in the business of repairing, altering, assembling,
manufacturing, cleaning, polishing, engraving or trueing, or who
performs any mechanical operation on, any firearm, large capacity
ammunition feeding device or machine-gun.
9. "Dealer in firearms" means any person, firm, partnership,
corporation or company who engages in the business of purchasing,
selling, keeping for sale, loaning, leasing, or in any manner disposing
of, any assault weapon, large capacity ammunition feeding device, pistol
or revolver.
10. "Licensing officer" means in the city of New York the police
commissioner of that city; in the county of Nassau the commissioner of
police of that county; in the county of Suffolk the sheriff of that
county except in the towns of Babylon, Brookhaven, Huntington, Islip and
Smithtown, the commissioner of police of that county; for the purposes
of section 400.01 of this chapter the superintendent of state police;
and elsewhere in the state a judge or justice of a court of record
having his office in the county of issuance.
11. "Rifle" means a weapon designed or redesigned, made or remade, and
intended to be fired from the shoulder and designed or redesigned and
made or remade to use the energy of the explosive in a fixed metallic
cartridge to fire only a single projectile through a rifled bore for
each single pull of the trigger.
12. "Shotgun" means a weapon designed or redesigned, made or remade,
and intended to be fired from the shoulder and designed or redesigned
and made or remade to use the energy of the explosive in a fixed shotgun
shell to fire through a smooth bore either a number of ball shot or a
single projectile for each single pull of the trigger.
13. "Cane Sword" means a cane or swagger stick having concealed within
it a blade that may be used as a sword or stilletto.
* 14. "Antique firearm" means:
Any unloaded muzzle loading pistol or revolver with a matchlock,
flintlock, percussion cap, or similar type of ignition system, or a
pistol or revolver which uses fixed cartridges which are no longer
available in the ordinary channels of commercial trade.
* NB There are 2 sb 14`s
* 14. "Chuka stick" means any device designed primarily as a weapon,
consisting of two or more lengths of a rigid material joined together by
a thong, rope or chain in such a manner as to allow free movement of a
portion of the device while held in the hand and capable of being
rotated in such a manner as to inflict serious injury upon a person by
striking or choking. These devices are also known as nunchakus and
centrifugal force sticks.
* NB There are 2 sb 14`s
15. "Loaded firearm" means any firearm loaded with ammunition or any
firearm which is possessed by one who, at the same time, possesses a
quantity of ammunition which may be used to discharge such firearm.
15-a. "Electronic dart gun" means any device designed primarily as a
weapon, the purpose of which is to momentarily stun, knock out or
paralyze a person by passing an electrical shock to such person by means
of a dart or projectile.
15-b. "Kung Fu star" means a disc-like object with sharpened points on
the circumference thereof and is designed for use primarily as a weapon
to be thrown.
15-c. "Electronic stun gun" means any device designed primarily as a
weapon, the purpose of which is to stun, cause mental disorientation,
knock out or paralyze a person by passing a high voltage electrical
shock to such person.
16. "Certified not suitable to possess a self-defense spray device, a
rifle or shotgun" means that the director or physician in charge of any
hospital or institution for mental illness, public or private, has
certified to the superintendent of state police or to any organized
police department of a county, city, town or village of this state, that
a person who has been judicially adjudicated incompetent, or who has
been confined to such institution for mental illness pursuant to
judicial authority, is not suitable to possess a self-defense spray
device, as defined in section 265.20 of this article, or a rifle or
shotgun.
17. "Serious offense" means (a) any of the following offenses defined
in the former penal law as in force and effect immediately prior to
September first, nineteen hundred sixty-seven: illegally using, carrying
or possessing a pistol or other dangerous weapon; making or possessing
burglar`s instruments; buying or receiving stolen property; unlawful
entry of a building; aiding escape from prison; that kind of disorderly
conduct defined in subdivisions six and eight of section seven hundred
twenty-two of such former penal law; violations of sections four hundred
eighty-three, four hundred eighty-three-b, four hundred eighty-four-h
and article one hundred six of such former penal law; that kind of
sodomy or rape which was designated as a misdemeanor; violation of
section seventeen hundred forty-seven-d and seventeen hundred
forty-seven-e of such former penal law; any violation of any provision
of article thirty-three of the public health law relating to narcotic
drugs which was defined as a misdemeanor by section seventeen hundred
fifty-one-a of such former penal law, and any violation of any provision
of article thirty-three-A of the public health law relating to
depressant and stimulant drugs which was defined as a misdemeanor by
section seventeen hundred forty-seven-b of such former penal law.
* (b) any of the following offenses defined in the penal law:
illegally using, carrying or possessing a pistol or other dangerous
weapon; possession of burglar`s tools; criminal possession of stolen
property in the third degree; escape in the third degree; jostling;
fraudulent accosting; that kind of loitering defined in subdivision
three of section 240.35; endangering the welfare of a child; the
offenses defined in article two hundred thirty-five; issuing abortional
articles; permitting prostitution; promoting prostitution in the third
degree; stalking in the fourth degree; stalking in the third degree; the
offenses defined in article one hundred thirty; the offenses defined in
article two hundred twenty.
* NB There are 2 par. b`s
* (b) any of the following offenses defined in the penal law:
illegally using, carrying or possessing a pistol or other dangerous
weapon; possession of burglar`s tools; criminal possession of stolen
property in the third degree; escape in the third degree; jostling;
fraudulent accosting; that kind of loitering defined in subdivision
three of section 240.35; endangering the welfare of a child; the
offenses defined in article two hundred thirty-five; issuing abortional
articles; permitting prostitution; promoting prostitution in the third
degree; stalking in the third degree; stalking in the fourth degree; the
offenses defined in article one hundred thirty; the offenses defined in
article two hundred twenty.
* NB There are 2 par. b`s
18. "Armor piercing ammunition" means any ammunition capable of being
used in pistols or revolvers containing a projectile or projectile core,
or a projectile or projectile core for use in such ammunition, that is
constructed entirely (excluding the presence of traces of other
substances) from one or a combination of any of the following: tungsten
alloys, steel, iron, brass, bronze, beryllium copper, or uranium.
19. "Duly authorized instructor" means (a) a duly commissioned officer
of the United States army, navy, marine corps or coast guard, or of the
national guard of the state of New York; or (b) a duly qualified adult
citizen of the United States who has been granted a certificate as an
instructor in small arms practice issued by the United States army, navy
or marine corps, or by the adjutant general of this state, or by the
national rifle association of America, a not-for-profit corporation duly
organized under the laws of this state; or (c) by a person duly
qualified and designated by the department of environmental conservation
under paragraph d of subdivision six of section 11-0713 of the
environmental conservation law as its agent in the giving of instruction
and the making of certifications of qualification in responsible hunting
practices.
20. "Disguised gun" means any weapon or device capable of being
concealed on the person from which a shot can be discharged through the
energy of an explosive and is designed and intended to appear to be
something other than a gun.
21. "Semiautomatic" means any repeating rifle, shotgun or pistol,
regardless of barrel or overall length, which utilizes a portion of the
energy of a firing cartridge or shell to extract the fired cartridge
case or spent shell and chamber the next round, and which requires a
separate pull of the trigger to fire each cartridge or shell.
22. "Assault weapon" means (a) a semiautomatic rifle that has an
ability to accept a detachable magazine and has at least two of the
following characteristics:
(i) a folding or telescoping stock;
(ii) a pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of
the weapon;
(iii) a bayonet mount;
(iv) a flash suppressor or threaded barrel designed to accommodate a
flash suppressor;
(v) a grenade launcher; or
(b) a semiautomatic shotgun that has at least two of the following
characteristics:
(i) a folding or telescoping stock;
(ii) a pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of
the weapon;
(iii) a fixed magazine capacity in excess of five rounds;
(iv) an ability to accept a detachable magazine; or
(c) a semiautomatic pistol that has an ability to accept a detachable
magazine and has at least two of the following characteristics:
(i) an ammunition magazine that attaches to the pistol outside of the
pistol grip;
(ii) a threaded barrel capable of accepting a barrel extender, flash
suppressor, forward handgrip, or silencer;
(iii) a shroud that is attached to, or partially or completely
encircles, the barrel and that permits the shooter to hold the firearm
with the nontrigger hand without being burned;
(iv) a manufactured weight of fifty ounces or more when the pistol is
unloaded;
(v) a semiautomatic version of an automatic rifle, shotgun or firearm;
or
(d) any of the weapons, or functioning frames or receivers of such
weapons, or copies or duplicates of such weapons, in any caliber, known
as:
(i) Norinco, Mitchell, and Poly Technologies Avtomat Kalashnikovs (all
models);
(ii) Action Arms Israeli Military Industries UZI and Galil;
(iii) Beretta Ar70 (SC-70);
(iv) Colt AR-15;
(v) Fabrique National FN/FAL, FN/LAR, and FNC;
(vi) SWD M-10, M-11, M-11/9, and M-12;
(vii) Steyr AUG;
(viii) INTRATEC TEC-9, TEC-DC9 and TEC-22; and
(ix) revolving cylinder shotguns, such as (or similar to) the Street
Sweeper and Striker 12;
(e) provided, however, that such term does not include: (i) any rifle,
shotgun or pistol that (A) is manually operated by bolt, pump, lever or
slide action; (B) has been rendered permanently inoperable; or (C) is an
antique firearm as defined in 18 U.S.C. 921(a)(16);
(ii) a semiautomatic rifle that cannot accept a detachable magazine
that holds more than five rounds of ammunition;
(iii) a semiautomatic shotgun that cannot hold more than five rounds
of ammunition in a fixed or detachable magazine;
(iv) a rifle, shotgun or pistol, or a replica or a duplicate thereof,
specified in Appendix A to section 922 of 18 U.S.C. as such weapon was
manufactured on October first, nineteen hundred ninety-three. The mere
fact that a weapon is not listed in Appendix A shall not be construed to
mean that such weapon is an assault weapon; or
(v) a semiautomatic rifle, a semiautomatic shotgun or a semiautomatic
pistol or any of the weapons defined in paragraph (d) of this
subdivision lawfully possessed prior to September fourteenth, nineteen
hundred ninety-four.
23. "Large capacity ammunition feeding device" means a magazine, belt,
drum, feed strip, or similar device, manufactured after September
thirteenth, nineteen hundred ninety-four, that has a capacity of, or
that can be readily restored or converted to accept, more than ten
rounds of ammunition; provided, however, that such term does not include
an attached tubular device designed to accept, and capable of operating
only with, .22 caliber rimfire ammunition.
S 265.01 Criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree.
A person is guilty of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth
degree when:
(1) He possesses any firearm, electronic dart gun, electronic stun
gun, gravity knife, switchblade knife, pilum ballistic knife, metal
knuckle knife, cane sword, billy, blackjack, bludgeon, metal knuckles,
chuka stick, sand bag, sandclub, wrist-brace type slingshot or
slungshot, shirken or "Kung Fu star"; or
(2) He possesses any dagger, dangerous knife, dirk, razor, stiletto,
imitation pistol, or any other dangerous or deadly instrument or weapon
with intent to use the same unlawfully against another; or
(3) He knowingly has in his possession a rifle, shotgun or firearm in
or upon a building or grounds, used for educational purposes, of any
school, college or university, except the forestry lands, wherever
located, owned and maintained by the State University of New York
college of environmental science and forestry, without the written
authorization of such educational institution; or
(4) He possesses a rifle or shotgun and has been convicted of a felony
or serious offense; or
(5) He possesses any dangerous or deadly weapon and is not a citizen
of the United States; or
(6) He is a person who has been certified not suitable to possess a
rifle or shotgun, as defined in subdivision sixteen of section 265.00,
and refuses to yield possession of such rifle or shotgun upon the demand
of a police officer. Whenever a person is certified not suitable to
possess a rifle or shotgun, a member of the police department to which
such certification is made, or of the state police, shall forthwith
seize any rifle or shotgun possessed by such person. A rifle or shotgun
seized as herein provided shall not be destroyed, but shall be delivered
to the headquarters of such police department, or state police, and
there retained until the aforesaid certificate has been rescinded by the
director or physician in charge, or other disposition of such rifle or
shotgun has been ordered or authorized by a court of competent
jurisdiction.
(7) He knowingly possesses a bullet containing an explosive substance
designed to detonate upon impact.
(8) He possesses any armor piercing ammunition with intent to use the
same unlawfully against another.
Criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree is a class A misdemeanor.
S 265.02 Criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree.
A person is guilty of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree when:
(1) Such person commits the crime of criminal possession of a weapon
in the fourth degree as defined in subdivision one, two, three or five
of section 265.01, and has been previously convicted of any crime; or
(2) Such person possesses any explosive or incendiary bomb, bombshell,
firearm silencer, machine-gun or any other firearm or weapon simulating
a machine-gun and which is adaptable for such use; or
(3) Such person knowingly possesses a machine-gun, firearm, rifle or
shotgun which has been defaced for the purpose of concealment or
prevention of the detection of a crime or misrepresenting the identity
of such machine-gun, firearm, rifle or shotgun; or
(5) (i) Such person possesses three or more firearms; or (ii) such
person possesses a firearm and has been previously convicted of a felony
or a class A misdemeanor defined in this chapter within the five years
immediately preceding the commission of the offense and such possession
did not take place in the person's home or place of business; or
(6) Such person knowingly possesses any disguised gun; or
(7) Such person possesses an assault weapon; or
(8) Such person possesses a large capacity ammunition feeding device.
Criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree is a class D felony.
S 265.03 Criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree.
A person is guilty of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree when:
(1) with intent to use the same unlawfully against another, such person:
(a) possesses a machine-gun; or
(b) possesses a loaded firearm; or
(c) possesses a disguised gun; or
(2) such person possesses five or more firearms; or
(3) such person possesses any loaded firearm. Such possession shall
not, except as provided in subdivision one or seven of section 265.02 of
this article, constitute a violation of this subdivision if such
possession takes place in such person's home or place of business.
Criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree is a class C felony.
S 265.04 Criminal possession of a dangerous weapon in the first degree.
A person is guilty of criminal possession of a dangerous weapon in the
first degree when he possesses any explosive substance with intent to
use the same unlawfully against the person or property of another.
Criminal possession of a weapon in the first degree is a class B felony.
S 265.05 Unlawful possession of weapons by persons under sixteen.
It shall be unlawful for any person under the age of sixteen to
possess any air-gun, spring-gun or other instrument or weapon in which
the propelling force is a spring or air, or any gun or any instrument or
weapon in or upon which any loaded or blank cartridges may be used, or
any loaded or blank cartridges or ammunition therefor, or any dangerous
knife; provided that the possession of rifle or shotgun or ammunition
therefor by the holder of a hunting license or permit issued pursuant to
article eleven of the environmental conservation law and used in
accordance with said law shall not be governed by this section.
A person who violates the provisions of this section shall be
adjudged a juvenile delinquent.
S 265.06 Unlawful possession of a weapon upon school grounds.
It shall be unlawful for any person age sixteen or older to knowingly
possess any air-gun, spring-gun or other instrument or weapon in which
the propelling force is a spring, air, piston or CO2 cartridge in or
upon a building or grounds, used for educational purposes, of any
school, college or university, without the written authorization of such
educational institution.
Unlawful possession of a weapon upon school grounds is a violation.
S 265.08 Criminal use of a firearm in the second degree.
A person is guilty of criminal use of a firearm in the second degree
when he commits any class C violent felony offense as defined in
paragraph (b) of subdivision one of section 70.02 and he either:
(1) possesses a deadly weapon, if the weapon is a loaded weapon from
which a shot, readily capable of producing death or other serious injury
may be discharged; or
(2) displays what appears to be a pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun,
machine gun or other firearm.
Criminal use of a firearm in the second degree is a class C felony.
S 265.09 Criminal use of a firearm in the first degree.
(1) A person is guilty of criminal use of a firearm in the first
degree when he commits any class B violent felony offense as defined in
paragraph (a) of subdivision one of section 70.02 and he either:
(a) possesses a deadly weapon, if the weapon is a loaded weapon from
which a shot, readily capable of producing death or other serious injury
may be discharged; or
(b) displays what appears to be a pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun,
machine gun or other firearm.
Criminal use of a firearm in the first degree is a class B felony.
(2) Sentencing. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the
contrary, when a person is convicted of criminal use of a firearm in the
first degree as defined in subdivision one of this section, the court
shall impose an additional consecutive sentence of five years to the
minimum term of an indeterminate sentence imposed on the underlying
class B violent felony offense where the person convicted of such crime
displays a loaded weapon from which a shot, readily capable of producing
death or other serious injury may be discharged, in furtherance of the
commission of such crime, provided, however, that such additional
sentence shall not be imposed if the court, having regard to the nature
and circumstances of the crime and to the history and character of the
defendant, finds on the record that such additional consecutive sentence
would be unduly harsh and that not imposing such sentence would be
consistent with the public safety and would not deprecate the
seriousness of the crime. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to
the contrary, the aggregate of the five year consecutive term imposed
pursuant to this subdivision and the minimum term of the indeterminate
sentence imposed on the underlying class B violent felony shall
constitute the new aggregate minimum term of imprisonment, and a person
subject to such term shall be required to serve the entire aggregate
minimum term and shall not be eligible for release on parole or
conditional release during such term. This subdivision shall not apply
where the defendant`s criminal liability for displaying a loaded weapon
from which a shot, readily capable of producing death or other serious
injury may be discharged, in furtherance of the commission of crime is
based on the conduct of another pursuant to section 20.00 of the penal
law.
S 265.10 Manufacture, transport, disposition and defacement of weapons
and dangerous instruments and appliances.
1. Any person who manufactures or causes to be manufactured any
machine-gun, assault weapon, large capacity ammunition feeding device or
disguised gun is guilty of a class D felony. Any person who manufactures
or causes to be manufactured any switchblade knife, gravity knife, pilum
ballistic knife, metal knuckle knife, billy, blackjack, bludgeon, metal
knuckles, Kung Fu star, chuka stick, sandbag, sandclub or slungshot is
guilty of a class A misdemeanor.
2. Any person who transports or ships any machine-gun, firearm
silencer, assault weapon or large capacity ammunition feeding device or
disguised gun, or who transports or ships as merchandise five or more
firearms, is guilty of a class D felony. Any person who transports or
ships as merchandise any firearm, other than an assault weapon,
switchblade knife, gravity knife, pilum ballistic knife, billy,
blackjack, bludgeon, metal knuckles, Kung Fu star, chuka stick, sandbag
or slungshot is guilty of a class A misdemeanor.
3. Any person who disposes of any machine-gun, assault weapon, large
capacity ammunition feeding device or firearm silencer is guilty of a
class D felony. Any person who knowingly buys, receives, disposes of, or
conceals a machine-gun, firearm, large capacity ammunition feeding
device, rifle or shotgun which has been defaced for the purpose of
concealment or prevention of the detection of a crime or misrepresenting
the identity of such machine-gun, firearm, large capacity ammunition
feeding device, rifle or shotgun is guilty of a class D felony.
4. Any person who disposes of any of the weapons, instruments or
appliances specified in subdivision one of section 265.01, except a
firearm, is guilty of a class A misdemeanor, and he is guilty of a class
D felony if he has previously been convicted of any crime.
5. Any person who disposes of any of the weapons, instruments,
appliances or substances specified in section 265.05 to any other person
under the age of sixteen years is guilty of a class A misdemeanor.
6. Any person who wilfully defaces any machine-gun, large capacity
ammunition feeding device or firearm is guilty of a class D felony.
7. Any person, other than a wholesale dealer, or gunsmith or dealer in
firearms duly licensed pursuant to section 400.00, lawfully in
possession of a firearm, who disposes of the same without first
notifying in writing the licensing officer in the city of New York and
counties of Nassau and Suffolk and elsewhere in the state the executive
department, division of state police, Albany, is guilty of a class A
misdemeanor.
S 265.11 Criminal sale of a firearm in the third degree.
A person is guilty of criminal sale of a firearm in the third degree
when he is not authorized pursuant to law to possess a firearm and he
unlawfully either:
(1) sells, exchanges, gives or disposes of a firearm or large capacity
ammunition feeding device to another person; or
(2) possesses a firearm with the intent to sell it.
Criminal sale of a firearm in the third degree is a class D felony
