Enacts the "safer weapons, safer homes act"; requires the division of criminal justice services to certify the technological viability of personalized handguns and to establish requirements related to the sale of personalized handguns; defines personalized handgun; requires the division to establish and maintain a roster of all personalized handguns approved for retail sale to the public; requires the division to report to the legislature on the technological viability of personalized handguns.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A1191 Revised 4/28/2025
SPONSOR: Bores TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to defining personalized
handguns and requiring the division of criminal justice services to
certify the technological viability of personalized handguns and to
establish requirements related to the sale of personalized handguns
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
Amends the Executive Law to both define and establish requirements for
personalized handguns.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:'
Section one would amend section 835 of the Executive Law to define a
personalized gun and authorized user.
Section two would amend the Executive Law by adding a new section 837-y
that would require the division of criminal justice to engage in an
investigation to certify the technological viability of personalized
handguns. The division shall establish performance standards and testing
protocols for personalized handguns.
The bill further requires the division to maintain a roster of all
personalized handguns approved for retail sale. This roster shall be
made available to registered and licensed firearms dealers in the state
at least every six months. Additionally, the amendment requires each
licensed firearms retailer to have on its premises at least one person-
alized handgun available for sale within two years from the date of
certification of the technology's viability, except in cases where such
a requirement would impose a significant financial burden.
Section four would establish the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
While this bill ran out of time to pass in the Senate last year, the
Assembly passed this bill last session. User-authenticated or personal-
ized handguns have the potential to stem violence and ensure the safety
of New Yorkers. Violence from accidental gun discharge causes incredible
harm with more than 300 children unintentionally shooting themselves or
someone else each year. In 2020, this resulted in the deaths of over 120
people. Personalized handguns would stop children from being able to
shoot guns that are left out or improperly stored. This would help
prevent school shootings as well, as most shootings have followed the
shooter taking the weapon from their or a neighbor's home. Moreover,
approximately 380,000 guns are stolen from owners each year. Personal-
ized handguns would prevent those weapons from being used in other
crimes or against their owners.
This bill creates a sensible regulatory environment to review the safety
of and viability of personalized smart guns. The past decade has seen
significant progress in the technology of these weapons; this bill
ensures that New York can implement these new safeguards as they become
available.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
A8333/S7802 of 2023/2024
A8333 - PASSED ASSEMBLY
S7802 - AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO FINANCE
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.
