Key Takeaways
- New York lawmakers proposed legislation requiring graphic warning posters in gun stores and with firearm licenses.
- The bills, Senate Bill S9334 and Assembly Bill A10485, aim to address health and safety risks of firearm ownership.
- Gun stores must display these warnings clearly, with penalties for noncompliance reaching $10,000 for repeat violations.
- Supporters argue the warnings communicate risks, while opponents view it as political messaging against gun ownership.
- If enacted, the law would take effect 210 days after being signed.
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ALBANY, NY – New York lawmakers have introduced legislation that would require graphic warning posters to be displayed inside gun stores and provided when firearm licenses or permits are issued.
State Senator Erik Bottcher and Assemblymember Keith Powers announced the proposal on March 10 at the New York State Capitol. The legislation is introduced as Senate Bill S9334 and Assembly Bill A10485.
The bill would amend New York’s penal law to require consumer warnings related to rifles, shotguns, and firearms.
Under the proposal, when a license or permit for a firearm, rifle, or shotgun is issued or amended, licensing officials would be required to provide the applicant with a graphic warning depicting what the legislation describes as health and safety risks associated with firearms.
The legislation would require gun stores to display a graphic warning sign alongside the text notices already required under current New York law.
According to the bill text, the New York Department of Health and the Department of Mental Hygiene would design the warning images and publish them online.
Firearms dealers would be required to display the warning image clearly and without obstruction. Dealers who fail to comply could face civil penalties of $5,000 for a first violation within a twelve month period and $10,000 for a second or subsequent violation during the same period.
Examples of the warnings being promoted by lawmakers have already appeared on social media. The posters include large text that reads:
“WARNING: ACCESS TO A RIFLE, SHOTGUN, OR FIREARM IN THE HOME SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASES THE RISK OF SUICIDE, DEATH DURING DOMESTIC DISPUTES, AND/OR UNINTENTIONAL DEATHS TO CHILDREN, HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS AND OTHERS. IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE IS EXPERIENCING DISTRESS AND/OR DEPRESSION, CALL THE NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE AT 988.”
Two examples show the warning printed on large wall posters inside a gun store. One image features a child’s casket with pink flowers and a teddy bear holding a heart. Another shows a child reaching into a drawer toward a handgun.
Supporters of the legislation say the graphic warnings are meant to communicate what they believe are risks associated with firearm ownership in the home.
The proposal builds on legislation passed in New York in 2025 that already requires text-only warning signage in gun stores.
At this time, the Senate version of the bill has been referred to the Senate Codes Committee. The Assembly companion bill has been referred to the Assembly Codes Committee.
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If passed and signed into law, the legislation would take effect 210 days after becoming law.
For many gun owners, proposals like this raise serious concerns about how far some lawmakers are willing to go in discouraging the lawful exercise of a constitutional right.
The Second Amendment protects the right of law-abiding Americans to keep and bear arms. Millions of responsible gun owners safely own firearms for personal protection, hunting, sport shooting, and other lawful purposes.
While lawmakers may attempt to frame firearm ownership as a public health issue, many Americans view efforts like this as political messaging aimed at stigmatizing a fundamental constitutional freedom.
