Gun owners unaware of upcoming ammo background checks in New York.
New York State’s Lack of Transparency Raises Concerns Over Firearm Background Checks
New York State has yet to provide a clear explanation of how the state police will handle background checks for firearm and ammunition purchases, which will become mandatory on September 13.
A spokesperson for the New York State Police told The Epoch Times on August 22 that the person responsible for answering questions about ammunition background checks was unavailable due to vacation.
Despite attempts to seek comment, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office did not respond to calls and emails.
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“I just wish the state would be more forthcoming with information,” expressed Tom King, the executive director of the New York State Rifle and Pistol Association (NYSRPA), in an interview with The Epoch Times on August 23.
According to a state law enacted last year, the New York State Police will handle all background checks required by federal law for the purchase of firearms and ammunition.
While federal law mandates background checks for gun purchases, the use of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) is limited to firearm sales. Federally-licensed firearms dealers are prohibited from using NICS for other purposes, including ammunition sales.
Therefore, the state of New York must establish its own background check system for ammunition sales.
Background checks for ammunition sales were initially proposed in 2013 under then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s New York Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement (SAFE) Act of 2013. However, at that time, the New York State Police admitted they had no system in place for such background checks.
Republicans in the New York legislature negotiated a memorandum of understanding, stipulating that no state funds would be allocated until both parties agreed on a cost plan and implementation strategy for the non-existent system.
Tom King revealed that Andrew Cuomo dismissed the memorandum, stating that it held no significance.
According to a transcript of a July 1, 2023, speech during an extraordinary session of the legislature, Gov. Hochul confirmed that she disregarded the memorandum.
“So, we are literally tearing it up, and New York will now require and conduct background checks for all ammunition purchases. And we’ll also be setting up an ammunition database, so law enforcement can identify and prosecute criminals,” she announced.
She emphasized that the law would only impact criminals, not lawful gun owners.
However, Gov. Hochul did not disclose whether the background check system was already in place. Mr. King noted that Democrats in the New York legislature have been reluctant to share this information with their gun-owning constituents, instead collaborating with gun control advocates to draft and promote the law.
“They don’t want to talk about this. Everything has been done with the Bloomberg people and the Giffords people,” Mr. King expressed. “I have never been contacted once about any of this.”
Michael Bloomberg, the former Mayor of New York, leads Every Town for Gun Safety, while Giffords is a gun-control advocacy organization co-founded by former Rep. Gabby Giffords (R-Ariz.).
“They’re claiming they have a system now,” Mr. King added.
He warned that the new law could potentially force gun shops within his association to close down. Since many gun owners practice frequently, these businesses would be burdened with conducting background checks every time ammunition is purchased.
Law Could Hurt Businesses
According to Mr. King, the administrative costs and record-keeping requirements associated with the law could spell the end for numerous small businesses.
For further inquiries, Mr. King directed questions to the National Shooting Sports Foundation and the Firearm Trade Industry Association.
Mark Oliva, the Managing Director of Public Affairs for the NSSF, expressed that business owners are concerned about the impact of the law but could not provide further details.
“I don’t know what to tell you. I’d have to refer you back to the New York State Police,” he stated.
This is not the first time the New York State Rifle and Pistol Association has clashed with the state government.
Not the First Rodeo
In 2018, the NYSRPA filed a lawsuit against New York over
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