S.7236/A.7983 Prevents the Purchase of Ammunition from Individuals Prohibited from Owning Firearms
A.1962-B/S.9629, Known as ‘Francesco’s Law,’ Expands Safe Storage Requirements To Prevent Minors From Accessing Unsecured Firearms
Governor Kathy Hochul today signed commonsense gun safety legislation to expand firearm safe storage requirements and prevent individuals prohibited from possessing guns from purchasing ammunition. Governor Hochul signed these bills at the New Yorkers Against Gun Violence annual benefit dinner on the fifth anniversary of the death of 17-year-old Francesco, who died by suicide after accessing an unsecured shotgun, and for whom ‘Francesco’s Law’ is named after.
“Keeping New Yorkers safe is my number one priority, which is why as Governor, I set out to enact one of the nation’s most advanced gun safety agendas — funding gun violence prevention programs at record levels and passing landmark legislation to prevent firearm tragedies,” Governor Hochul said. “Today, I’m proud to make our nation-leading laws even stronger to keep guns and ammunition out of the wrong hands and make our children and communities safer.”
S.7236/A.7943 strengthens background checks for purchasing ammunition by aligning them with the requirements for purchasing a firearm. This law clarifies that individuals prohibited by law from owning a rifle or shotgun or subject to a temporary or extreme risk protection order may not purchase ammunition.
A.1962-B/S.9629, known as ‘Francesco’s Law,’ requires gun owners to securely store firearms in an appropriate, locked storage container when they are not being used and creates stronger penalties for when minors and unlicensed individuals access unsecured guns. This legislation closes a gap in state law that allowed gun owners to leave firearms unsecured in homes without children or prohibited individuals.
Following the death of her son in 2021, Diana Cochran helped establish Francesco’s Foundation and became a leading advocate for stronger gun safety laws to prevent other families from experiencing similar tragedies.
At the New Yorkers Against Gun Violence annual benefit dinner, Governor Hochul was honored with the Allard K. Lowenstein Award for Public Service. Named after the prominent civil rights activist, anti-war leader, and New York Congressman Allard K. Lowenstein, the award recognizes individuals who demonstrate outstanding commitment to public service and advocacy, particularly in championing common-sense gun safety legislation.
Governor Hochul has made combating gun violence and protecting New Yorkers a top priority, advancing legislation to strengthen the State’s gun laws, cracking down on illegal firearms and bolstering gun violence prevention efforts.
Since taking office, Governor Hochul has committed nearly $4 billion to public safety initiatives and doubled funding to combat gun violence in New York communities. Governor Hochul also partnered with 11 other states to intercept weapons along the I-95 corridor, enhance Red Flag Laws to keep guns away from individuals that are a risk to themselves and others, and strengthened New York’s concealed carry laws in response to the Supreme Court’s reckless Bruen decision. As part of the FY 27 Enacted Budget, Governor Hochul sustained record-level investments in prevention, intervention and enforcement, including addressing emerging threats as 3-D printed guns and DIY machine guns.
Former Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris said, “I would like to thank Governor Hochul for her continued commitment to gun safety. This is not the first new law she has enacted to make New Yorkers safer and I am sure it will not be the last. It has been an honor to work with the Governor all these years and am very proud of the legacy being left behind, even as there are years of great leadership still to come from Kathy Hochul.”
Assemblymember Jeffrey Dinowitz said, “This legislation is common sense. If a person fails a background check to buy or possess a shotgun or rifle, they should also be unable to purchase ammunition. By enacting this law, we are taking further steps to prevent gun violence and tragedies throughout New York State. I thank Governor Hochul for signing this bill into law and State Senator Gianaris for working with me on this legislation.”
State Senator Erik Bottcher said, “Governor Kathy Hochul has once again demonstrated that New York will lead the nation in protecting lives from gun violence, and I am profoundly grateful for her leadership in signing Francesco’s Law. No family should have to endure the heartbreak of losing a child to a preventable tragedy. Francesco was just 17 when he died by suicide after gaining access to an unsecured firearm. His story is deeply personal to me. Like Francesco, I struggled with my identity and mental health as a teenager, and I know how access to a firearm in a moment of crisis can turn temporary despair into an irreversible tragedy. A locked gun can mean the difference between a life lost and a life saved. I am sincerely grateful to Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assemblymember Khaleel Anderson and the tireless advocates who made this possible, including Rebecca Fischer and New Yorkers Against Gun Violence, Brady, GIFFORDS, the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions and Everytown. Above all, I commend Diana Cochran, Francesco’s mom, who transformed unimaginable grief into a legacy that will save lives. We cannot bring Francesco back, but because of his mother’s courage and Governor Hochul’s leadership, other families may be spared that heartbreak.”
Assemblymember Khaleel M. Anderson said, “Today, we honor Francesco’s life by turning unimaginable grief into meaningful action. Francesco’s Law is a testament to the power of a family’s advocacy and the responsibility we have as legislators to protect our communities and prevent another family from experiencing this kind of loss. I thank Governor Kathy Hochul for signing this critical legislation and Diana and Jennifer for their courage, persistence and commitment to making sure Francesco’s legacy saves lives. This is what public service must be about. We must listen to our communities, stand with our families across New York State, and turn pain into purpose.”