New York State Airgun Ban In The Works

Yes, it’s true. There’s a New York State airgun ban in the works. It’s included in the current 2025-26 Legislative Session of the state. As the Session ends on 4 June, that means that things could happen very rapidly…

New York State currently has bills in both the state Assembly and Senate that would effectively ban the sale and marketing of all current airguns.

NO, THIS IS NOT A JOKE!​

The thrust of the proposed New York State Senate Bill S9215 is to reclassify functional airguns as “imitation weapons.” This legislation would require airguns to be transparent or brightly colored and have a plugged barrel, effectively banning current models as they would no longer be able to fire a projectile.

There is also a proposed New York State Assembly Bill A10701 that appears to me to have exactly the same intent.

Both of these proposed Bills are currently in the “Committee” stage of discussion.

New York State provides residents with the ability to read proposed legislation and give their opinion on it.

You can read the proposed State Senate Bill S9215 here: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S9215

The proposed Assembly Bill is here: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A10701

If you live in New York State, you may wish to take a careful look at these web pages – together with the attached PDF files.

The online system allows you to register your support or opposition to this bill and to receive status alerts on its progress through the legislative process. It also provides a link for New York residents to find their state Senator, should you wish to contact them on any issue.

Again, this is not a joke. Yes, it’s true. There’s a New York State airgun ban in the works. And it could happen very rapidly.

Also I know that the Airgun Shooting Association is working on this behind the scenes. We’ll bring you more information on their efforts as it becomes available.


The post New York State Airgun Ban In The Works appeared first on Hard Air Magazine.

 

[Solo1]

I wonder what their gonna do when the bad guys start painting their guns?

 

[hameditor]

Made and uploaded a short about it with link back here. Hopefully it helps get the word out.

@PapaT Thanks! Can you share the link to your short here, too?

 

[PapaT]

@PapaT Thanks! Can you share the link to your short here, too?

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I also made a post on reddit, for the younger folk to be informed, linked back to here.

 

[PA_AirHead]

So I will say I haven’t read the entire bill first off. What I have read sounds like they want to have markings on airguns so that they’re not confused with “real” guns. The bill even calls them “imitation guns”, while elsewhere in NY policies they refer to them as firearms, so which is it? Looks like from what I read that much of the changes are to retail sellers. I’m going to keep reading though.

I did google about traveling through NY, and it states what I’ve done since they lost their minds and changed the firearm transportation rules. I use a locked hard case and keep the pellets in a separate container away from the scary gun case. And I drive in a manner as not to draw attention to myself lol.

 

[Woogie_man]

Well that sucks.....

Reading it .... it sounds like they are using a blanket term "air guns" for something that they don't understand is a blanket term. They could be talking about air soft gun, blow guns, noise guns or something else. Much like the term assault rifle is a propaganda term.

Anyone in New York needs to get on the horn and start calling people. This is a blatant power grab by people who once again have zero idea what they are doing or talking about.

 

[PapaT]

Well that sucks.....

Reading it .... it sounds like they are using a blanket term "air guns" for something that they don't understand is a blanket term. They could be talking about air soft gun, blow guns, noise guns or something else. Much like the term assault rifle is a propaganda term.

Anyone in New York needs to get on the horn and start calling people. This is a blatant power grab by people who once again have zero idea what they are doing or talking about.

Or more scary, by people who know exactly what they are doing.

 

[007]

Agreed! If this become effective in New York state, it's easy to imagine it as a precedent for legislation in other states too...

As a New York State resident, I am especially upset about this.

Thank you for bringing this to my/our attention, and thank you for your continued advocacy for the sport.

 

[MacGyver]

So I will say I haven’t read the entire bill first off. What I have read sounds like they want to have markings on airguns so that they’re not confused with “real” guns. The bill even calls them “imitation guns”, while elsewhere in NY policies they refer to them as firearms, so which is it? Looks like from what I read that much of the changes are to retail sellers. I’m going to keep reading though.

I did google about traveling through NY, and it states what I’ve done since they lost their minds and changed the firearm transportation rules. I use a locked hard case and keep the pellets in a separate container away from the scary gun case. And I drive in a manner as not to draw attention to myself lol.

An imitation weapon is illegal in NY unless it has the marking AND a closed barrel. That's the key point. Hiw would an air gun function with a closed barrel. And as far as I read NY does not consider Airguns as firearms. My guess it that is what they are trying to accomplish with this bill as a "compromise". When the opponents say "it won't work with a closed barrel", the proponents say "then they must be firearms". The opponents will have to agree that they are weapons, or they will not be allowed. Just my hypothesis.

 

[DJNA]

Bet more Blue states will follow - Poor FX just built a new Headquarters in California- bet they wish built it in Texas.

 

[Grunt64]

Yes, it’s true. There’s a New York State airgun ban in the works. It’s included in the current 2025-26 Legislative Session of the state. As the Session ends on 4 June, that means that things could happen very rapidly…

New York State currently has bills in both the state Assembly and Senate that would effectively ban the sale and marketing of all current airguns.

NO, THIS IS NOT A JOKE!​

The thrust of the proposed New York State Senate Bill S9215 is to reclassify functional airguns as “imitation weapons.” This legislation would require airguns to be transparent or brightly colored and have a plugged barrel, effectively banning current models as they would no longer be able to fire a projectile.

There is also a proposed New York State Assembly Bill A10701 that appears to me to have exactly the same intent.

Both of these proposed Bills are currently in the “Committee” stage of discussion.

New York State provides residents with the ability to read proposed legislation and give their opinion on it.

You can read the proposed State Senate Bill S9215 here: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S9215

The proposed Assembly Bill is here: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A10701

If you live in New York State, you may wish to take a careful look at these web pages – together with the attached PDF files.

The online system allows you to register your support or opposition to this bill and to receive status alerts on its progress through the legislative process. It also provides a link for New York residents to find their state Senator, should you wish to contact them on any issue.

Again, this is not a joke. Yes, it’s true. There’s a New York State airgun ban in the works. And it could happen very rapidly.

Also I know that the Airgun Shooting Association is working on this behind the scenes. We’ll bring you more information on their efforts as it becomes available.


The post New York State Airgun Ban In The Works appeared first on Hard Air Magazine.

Airguns aren’t firearms under the law, and I’m not arguing they should be. But when you’re actually using one — especially modern PCPs — they absolutely should be handled with the same safety rules as a firearm. Muzzle discipline, target awareness, and respect for the platform don’t change just because it’s air‑powered.
What I would support is a separate classification for airguns, with reasonable guardrails: • An age limit on both the guns and the ammo • A basic accountability step like requiring a hunting license, even if you don’t hunt • Clear safety expectations without treating airguns like powder‑burners
That approach keeps things responsible without overregulating the sport or pretending airguns are driving crime. They’re not — and the data shows it. But safety and structure still matter, and a dedicated classification makes more sense than lumping PCPs into firearm law.”

 

[Danman]

I wonder what their gonna do when the bad guys start painting their guns?

Exactly. We gun owners in glorious (lol) and free (even more lol) Canada are going through a gun "buyback" program read: confiscation plan. No one i know is participating, but yeah....does anyone actually think the criminals are gonna hand in their now illegal "assault" weapons? Completely laughable.
If you dont live in NY dont feel that this won't affect you, if it passes, it may very well be your problem in the future. Blanket laws are rarely a good think, make your voices heard

 

[hameditor]

Exactly. We gun owners in glorious (lol) and free (even more lol) Canada are going through a gun "buyback" program read: confiscation plan. No one i know is participating, but yeah....does anyone actually think the criminals are gonna hand in their now illegal "assault" weapons? Completely laughable.
If you dont live in NY dont feel that this won't affect you, if it passes, it may very well be your problem in the future. Blanket laws are rarely a good think, make your voices heard

@Danman Thanks for your support from up North. It's much appreciated!

 

[isledweller]

... And as far as I read NY does not consider Airguns as firearms. My guess it that is what they are trying to accomplish with this bill as a "compromise". When the opponents say "it won't work with a closed barrel", the proponents say "then they must be firearms". The opponents will have to agree that they are weapons, or they will not be allowed. Just my hypothesis.

And yet, NYS DEC does indeed classify them as firearms in their hunting regulations and allows certain game to be harvested with them.

This all just adds to the madness.


Some clips from the Regulations

 

[jps2486]

Unfortunately, the ridiculous people are the ones forcing policy on the ones who just want to be left alone to enjoy life.

Ridiculous, ignorant people are the ones that get elected to office. They have no concept of airguns, shooting or anything else for that matter and feel that they are do-gooders greasing the skids for re-election. They are also sponsored by wealthy clowns that control their legislation to suit themselves. The American electorate are just as stupid.

 

[007]

I contacted my NYS Senator via the link provide in the first post and subscribed via the NYS portal to be updated on the progress of the bill. Both were very easy to do and took less than a few minutes.

I would encourage all NYS residents to do the same.

 

[Grunt64]

I contacted my NYS Senator via the link provide in the first post and subscribed via the NYS portal to be updated on the progress of the bill. Both were very easy to do and took less than a few minutes.

I would encourage all NYS residents to do the same.

Thank you Sir. I have done so.

 

[iFish]

I was going to opine, but decided not too. I will however send wishes that things work out for NY residents.

Sometimes the grass is greener on the other hill, just saying...

 

[Holden Over]

It is a shame this is even happening. I've read through both the bill links and I see wording referring to sales of new airguns, but there does not appear to be any wording to define how this impacts current airguns already in possession. It also does not appear to raise the definition of an airgun from a "weapon" to "firearm" status. With that in mind I don't even see what these bills accomplish - what a waste of resources and impingement on our rights.

Excuse me, doc but you don’t see what these bills accomplished!?. Would they accomplish is effectively banning the purchase of any new AIRGUNS into New York State. Further the unattended consequences if you’re a gangbanger with a Glock spray-painted pastel and carried around like anybody else would carry around and “invitation“ firearm. Also, it will instantaneously make tens of thousands of air gun owners in New York State criminals by definition. As I have heard other reports, the attention isn’t so much to ban AIRGUNS or BB guns as it is to kill the culture. Everyone reading this I would assume at some point in their early life had a red rider BB gun, or a BB gun of some type and it was what got you interested in shooting and planking and eventually hunting. So if you take that away and you have generations that don’t have any connection to the culture passing legislation banning firearms would become much easier. That’s their real intent. And this cancer will spread if it passes in New York and it will because there’s no stopping a one party system the blue state across the country will jump on the bandwagon that always happen with some sort of ridiculous legislation is proposed by California or New York. That Bill will accomplish quite a bit.

 

[Grunt64]

Excuse me, doc but you don’t see what these bills accomplished!?. Would they accomplish is effectively banning the purchase of any new AIRGUNS into New York State. Further the unattended consequences if you’re a gangbanger with a Glock spray-painted pastel and carried around like anybody else would carry around and “invitation“ firearm. Also, it will instantaneously make tens of thousands of air gun owners in New York State criminals by definition. As I have heard other reports, the attention isn’t so much to ban AIRGUNS or BB guns as it is to kill the culture. Everyone reading this I would assume at some point in their early life had a red rider BB gun, or a BB gun of some type and it was what got you interested in shooting and planking and eventually hunting. So if you take that away and you have generations that don’t have any connection to the culture passing legislation banning firearms would become much easier. That’s their real intent. And this cancer will spread if it passes in New York and it will because there’s no stopping a one party system the blue state across the country will jump on the bandwagon that always happen with some sort of ridiculous legislation is proposed by California or New York. That Bill will accomplish quite a bit.

I guess is most don't think it can happen in their state. Don't be fooled.

 

[iFish]

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