NY Gov Hochul proposes new gun control measures in response to ATF rule changes

(The Center Square) — Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul unveiled a series of new and proposed gun control measures on Thursday in response to the Trump administration's rollback of federal firearm regulations.

Hochul said she is directing the New York State Police to prioritize inspections of firearms dealers linked to guns used in crimes and launching an education campaign reminding gun dealers that New York's firearms laws remain in effect despite changes at the federal level, among other changes.

Hochul also said she plans on filing a bill in the next legislative session to amend New York's penal law to require in-person sale of firearms in response to the ATF rule changes that would allow online sales nationwide. That would align firearm sales with ammunition sales, she said, which are required to be done in-person.

Another legislative proposal rolled out by Hochul on Thursday would tighten the state's background check requirements for firearm purchases by aligning them with the stricter rules already in place for ammunition sales.

The governor said the move comes in response to a recent decision by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to roll back more than 30 federal firearms regulations.

“Time and time again, we see the Trump administration concede to the gun lobby, and these rollbacks are yet another giveaway that will have devastating and dangerous effects across the country," Hochul said in a statement.

"While the federal government paves the way for increased firearm trafficking and putting guns in the hands of those who should not have them, New York State is taking action to blunt their efforts by bolstering our nation-leading gun laws and committing to closing the loopholes that put lives in jeopardy," she said.

The proposals are likely to face pushback and legal challenges from Republicans and Second Amendment groups who argue that New York's toughest-in-the-nation firearm laws haven't prevented gun violence.

The ATF and Department of Justice announced in April that they are rescinding 34 Biden-era regulations "to reduce unnecessary burdens on law-abiding citizens and businesses while modernizing regulatory frameworks that no longer reflect current law, agency practice, or court precedent."

"The Second Amendment is not a second-class right," Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said in remarks in April. "This Department of Justice is ending the weaponization of federal authority against law-abiding gun owners. We will continue to vigorously defend their rights as the Constitution demands."

New York already has some of the toughest gun control laws in the nation, but Democrats and gun control advocates argue the state needs to close "loopholes" in the laws that gun manufacturers and dealers have been skirting.

Hochul signed a bill in 2021 that banned untraceable "ghost guns" in New York by criminalizing their sale, requiring serialization, and closing "loopholes" that allowed parts to be bought and assembled without background checks.

In May, Hochul signed a state budget that set criminal penalties for the manufacture of 3D firearms and requires minimum safety standards for 3D printer manufacturers to "block the production" of firearms and gun components.