What You Need To Know About New York's Gun Law Changes

Governor Kathy Hochul is proposing some major changes to gun laws in New York State. As technology advances, the state aims to get ahead of gun manufacturing. According to Gov. Hochul, "Since 2023, State Police have seized more than 3,400 illegal guns, and last year, police seized more than 750 ghost guns from the streets of New York."

In March of 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a President Joe Biden-era rule that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives has the authority to regulate ghost guns per the Gun Control Act.

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(Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Gov. Hochul recently announced proposed legislation to clamp down on ghost guns in New York State. The new laws would establish criminal penalties for people making 3D-printed guns. It would also help regulate 3D printer manufacturers to block the production of ghost guns and their components. The laws would also require law enforcement around the state to report their recoveries of ghost guns to the state. Gov. Hochul said,

“Public safety is my top priority. When I took office, I made a promise to New Yorkers to attack the gun violence epidemic head-on, and as gun technology continues to evolve, so do our strongest-in-the-nation gun laws. From the iron pipeline to the plastic pipeline, these proposals will keep illegal ghost guns off of New York streets, and enhance measures to track and block the production of dangerous and illegal firearms in our state. I remain committed to continuing the progress we saw in 2025 to reduce gun violence in New York and ensuring our laws remain the strongest and safest in the nation.”