Bill Passes In Albany To Ban 'Disguised Guns'

ALBANY, NY — Amid the rise of gun violence, State Senator John Brooks (D—Massapequa) and Assemblyman Steve Stern (D—Huntington) announced the passage of a joint bill that prohibits the sale of weapons disguised to look like toy guns.

The legislation, which received bipartisan support among lawmakers, updates the definition of a "disguised gun," Brooks' office said in a statement. The bill would include a real rifle, pistol, shotgun or machine gun that is designed and marketed as a toy gun.

"The gun violence epidemic has stolen the lives of so many in our state and country, and we have only seen the problem grow worse in the past year," Brooks said. "Common sense measures like this legislation to crackdown on disguised guns are critical to protecting New Yorkers. No one should live in fear of gun violence, not when walking down the street, serving our communities in law enforcement, while learning at schools, spending time at home, or anywhere else."

The bill does provide an exception for any rifle or shotgun displaying a camouflage color or pattern used for hunting purposes.