LOCAL LAW “M” FOR 2022
A LOCAL LAW OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY REQUIRING THE DISTRIBUTION OF ILLEGAL FIREARM AWARENESS NOTICES
Introduced: 9/12/22
By Messrs. Mauriello and Burgdorf, Messrs. Collins, Drake, Grimm, Perlee, and Tunny; Mss. Lockart and Whalen:
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Title.
This Local Law shall be known as the “Stop Illegal Guns Now (SIGN) Law.”
SECTION 2. Legislative intent.
The purpose of this Local Law is to provide for and promote the safety of the general public by providing informational notices about the danger of illegal firearms.
This Legislature finds that crimes committed in New York State with firearms are typically perpetrated by individuals who possess the firearm illegally. A 2016 report by the Office of the New York Attorney General indicates 74% of the weapons recovered by law enforcement used in criminal activity were possessed illegally. A report issued by the United States Department of Justice in 2016 indicated more than half of State and Federal prisoners who had used a firearm during their offense possessed it illegally.
This Legislature believes that providing information to the public about the danger of, and instructions regarding the disposal of, illegal firearms can make Albany County safer.
SECTION 3. Definitions.
a. Notice-required home visit. Any home visit conducted by the Department for Aging, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, Department of Health, Department of Mental Health, Department of Probation, Department of Social Services, or the Veterans Services Bureau within the County of Albany, or by any organization contracting with Albany County for the purpose of providing services on behalf of Albany County or as part of a program offered in partnership with Albany County.
b. Notice-required public facility. Any building owned and operated by Albany County which is open for public entry, as well as any public structure employed by an organization contracting with Albany County for the purpose of providing services on behalf of Albany County or as part of a program offered in partnership with Albany County.
SECTION 4. Illegal Firearm Awareness Notice
a. At every notice-required home visit, County personnel shall distribute a notice conspicuously stating, in no smaller than 26-point type and on paper at least 8 and ½ inches by 11 inches in bold print, the following warning:
WARNING
|
ILLEGAL GUNS ARE USED IN THE MAJORITY OF GUN-BASED CRIMES IN NEW YORK STATE. POSSESSION OF AN ILLEGAL GUN ENDANGERS EVERY MEMBER OF YOUR HOUSEHOLD AND COMMUNITY. YOU CAN NOT BE CHARGED WITH ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF A FIREARM IF IT IS VOLUNTARILY SURRENDERED. IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE POSSESSES AN ILLEGAL FIREARM, YOU CAN VOLUNTARILY DISPOSE OF THE WEAPON BY CALLING THE ALBANY COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT AT (518) 487-5400. |
b. Every notice-required public facility shall, in a prominent place, display a notice conspicuously stating, in no smaller than 26-point type and on paper at least 8 and ½ inches by 11 inches in bold print, the following warning:
WARNING
|
ILLEGAL GUNS ARE USED IN THE MAJORITY OF GUN-BASED CRIMES IN NEW YORK STATE. POSSESSION OF AN ILLEGAL GUN ENDANGERS EVERY MEMBER OF YOUR HOUSEHOLD AND COMMUNITY. YOU CAN NOT BE CHARGED WITH ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF A FIREARM IF IT IS VOLUNTARILY SURRENDERED. IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE POSSESSES AN ILLEGAL FIREARM, YOU CAN VOLUNTARILY DISPOSE OF THE WEAPON BY CALLING THE ALBANY COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT AT (518) 487-5400. |
SECTION 5. Effective Date
This law shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become law, however, any obligations required of organizations contracting with Albany County shall take effect upon the creation or renewal of their contractual agreement with Albany County.