On April 3, 2025, Governor Kathy Hochul stood at a podium in Albany, surrounded by state lawmakers and gun safety advocates, and signed three new gun control bills into law. “Public safety is my number one priority,” Hochul said, referencing not only the new legislation but also a broader effort her administration has undertaken since she took office. In a video posted to her official YouTube channel, she framed the move as a continuation of New York’s leading stance on gun violence prevention, calling the state’s measures “the strongest gun safety laws in the nation.”
The press event was not only a ceremonial bill signing – it was a declaration of New York’s identity as a national model for aggressive, data-driven gun control. Hochul’s office also released new crime statistics showing a 53% statewide drop in shootings compared to pandemic-era highs, according to her official press release.
First Bill Targets “Pistol Converters”
One of the most urgent concerns addressed in the new legislation is the growing presence of “pistol converters” – small devices that can be attached to a semiautomatic handgun, allowing it to fire like a fully automatic weapon. Senate Bill 744 and Assembly Bill 436 formally include these converters in New York’s list of banned “rapid-fire modification devices,” placing them alongside bump stocks and trigger cranks.
State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal explained during the signing event that these converters, often called “auto-sears” or “Glock switches,” can turn a pistol into a machine gun capable of firing up to 15 rounds in under two seconds. “They are not permitted in New York State,” he stated, noting that the new law removes ambiguity and strengthens the state’s power to prosecute possession or use of such devices. As Jeff Chudzinski of North Country Now reported, these converters are already banned under federal law, but Hochul’s new law ensures added enforcement power at the state level.
A Surgeon General-Style Warning at the Gun Counter
The second law, Senate Bill 743 and Assembly Bill 437, brings a public health lens to gun ownership by mandating that firearm dealers and gunsmiths post and distribute safety warnings at the point of sale. The materials must now include the 988 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and communicate the increased risks of gun ownership – including suicide, domestic violence deaths, and accidental shootings involving children and household members.
Assemblymember Jeffrey Dinowitz, who co-sponsored the legislation, emphasized the role of education. “By requiring firearm dealers to provide clear and accessible warnings… we are aiding people in becoming fully informed about the dangers of gun ownership,” he said, as noted in Governor Hochul’s press release. Hochul herself compared the warnings to those on cigarette packages, calling the measure an overdue effort to inform gun buyers about real-world consequences.
Tracking Firearms Sales Through Credit Card Codes
A third bill – Senate Bill 745 and Assembly Bill 439 – strengthens regulations around the financial tracking of gun-related purchases. It enhances a law Hochul signed last year requiring credit and debit card companies to implement merchant category codes (MCCs) for firearms and ammunition sellers.
This time, the updated law ensures that even stores that primarily sell guns but also carry other merchandise are categorized properly. Assemblymember Michaelle Solages explained that the new system equips financial institutions and law enforcement with tools to detect “suspicious activity before it becomes a tragedy.” According to Chudzinski’s article, Hochul added that these tools are especially useful for identifying individuals who may be stockpiling weapons – a potential red flag.
Gun Violence Numbers Moving in the Right Direction
During the April 3 event, Hochul emphasized the results of her administration’s ongoing work: a 53% reduction in shootings from 2022 to 2025. According to data released by the governor’s office and cited in her YouTube statement and press release, New York recorded 236 shootings statewide between January and March of 2025, down from 497 during the same period in 2022.
Murders have also dropped about 40% in the same time span. “This is extraordinary,” Hochul said. “We were on a trajectory where the numbers kept going higher and higher… and we stood up and said, ‘No more.’” These results, she added, mark the lowest statewide shooting numbers in a decade.
A $370 Million Investment for the Future
To build on the success, Hochul announced a major financial commitment: a proposed $370 million investment in public safety programs across the state. This funding will support initiatives ranging from law enforcement upgrades to mental health services and youth programs, according to both the official press release and North Country Now’s report.
Included in the funding:
- $50 million for the Law Enforcement Technology grant program.
- $36 million for the GIVE initiative, which funds police and DA offices in 21 counties.
- $21 million for the SNUG Street Outreach Program, operating in 14 cities.
- $20 million for Project RISE, which focuses on trauma recovery and youth services.
These investments are designed not just to police violence but to prevent it through community-based interventions.
Holding Gun Makers Accountable
Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon, who sponsored the “pistol converter” legislation, used the event to criticize gun manufacturers directly. She singled out Glock, stating, “For decades, Glock has known that its pistols can be easily and cheaply converted into illegal fully-automatic machine guns.” Simon’s new law, she said, represents a demand for accountability from companies that “put profit over people.”
Governor Hochul echoed this message during the YouTube event, adding that “we’re not going to let manufacturers continue ignoring the public health crisis their products help fuel.” This law, as she sees it, is about closing loopholes that gun makers have been slow – or unwilling – to address.
Support From Legislative Leaders
Other lawmakers praised the package for its balance between enforcement and education. Senator Michael Gianaris called the safety warnings “a critical step in preventing injury and improving public safety,” while Assemblymember Harvey Epstein said the new laws are overdue. “So many lives have been lost as a result of our failure to pass common-sense gun regulations,” Epstein remarked.
Assemblymember Tony Simone added that the package addresses both the mental health crisis and the gun violence epidemic, saying, “We must do everything in our power as lawmakers to combat it.” These statements, captured in Hochul’s press release, reflect a unified front from New York’s Democratic leadership.
Buffalo Still Weighs Heavy
Hochul’s resolve on gun safety is deeply personal. In her YouTube remarks, she reflected again on the May 14, 2022, mass shooting in Buffalo, where 10 of her neighbors were gunned down at a grocery store. That tragedy, she said, shaped her commitment to preventing further bloodshed.
Since then, her administration has implemented an Interstate Gun Task Force, enhanced red flag laws, and seized more than 10,000 illegal firearms. “We’ve done a tremendous amount in getting guns off the streets,” she said, “and today is one more step in the right direction.”
National Implications
During her speech, Hochul took aim at federal lawmakers – particularly Republicans – for failing to take similar steps. “Compare us to states that don’t care about protecting their citizens,” she said. “You cannot say you’re tough on crime but be soft on guns.”
She encouraged other states to follow New York’s example and adopt similar legislation. With new gun laws, declining crime rates, and one of the most well-funded violence prevention strategies in the country, Hochul believes New York is showing what’s possible when political will meets public safety goals.
A Forceful Model With Watchful Eyes
The three new laws signed by Governor Hochul are as ambitious as they are controversial. Supporters point to the 53% drop in shootings as proof that New York’s strategy is working. Yet concerns remain – particularly around the use of merchant category codes and the broader implications for financial privacy.
Still, the combination of education, enforcement, and investment presents a multi-pronged approach few other states have attempted. Whether these changes will withstand legal challenges or influence national policy remains to be seen. But for now, New York is doubling down on its reputation as a state willing to act while others debate.
A former park ranger and wildlife conservationist, Lisa’s passion for survival started with her deep connection to nature. Raised on a small farm in northern Wisconsin, she learned how to grow her own food, raise livestock, and live off the land. Lisa is our dedicated Second Amendment news writer and also focuses on homesteading, natural remedies, and survival strategies. Lisa aims to help others live more sustainably and prepare for the unexpected.