LOCAL LAW "J" FOR 2022
A LOCAL LAW OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY REQUIRING THAT ALL UNATTENDED WEAPONS IN THE HOME BE LOCKED OR KEPT SECURELY
Introduced: 9/12/22
By Mr. Reidy, Mss. McLean Lane, Cunningham and Mr. Peter::
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Title.
This Local Law shall be known as the "Safe Gun Storage Law."
SECTION 2. Legislative Intent.
Albany County is dedicated to protecting its residents. This Legislature finds that an average of 483 deaths and 76,127 non-fatal injuries per year are from unintentional shootings. Studies have shown that, when a firearm is easily accessible, the risk of unintentional shootings rises dramatically.
This Legislature further finds that the access to [presence of] an unsecured, easily accessible loaded weapon in the home increases the likelihood of death or injury from accidents and impulsive acts. Guns left unattended in the home should be kept locked or stored securely to prevent access by children and others who should not have access to them. Gun owners are responsible for keeping their firearms from falling into the hands of children and other unauthorized individuals.
The purpose of this Local Law is to provide for and promote the health, safety and welfare of the general public by requiring that all unattended weapons be either locked with an appropriate safety lock or otherwise stored in a safe storage depository so as to prevent unauthorized access and use.
SECTION 3. Definitions.
Whenever used in this Local Law, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
a. Weapon shall be defined as any rifle, shotgun, or firearm, [machine gun or assault weapon including a semiautomatic rifle, shotgun, firearm,] as those terms are defined in Section 265.00 of the New York State Penal Law;
b. Serious physical injury and physical injury shall be defined as provided in Section 10.00 of the Penal Law.
c. Safety locking device shall m...
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