As the Legislative Session comes to a close this week, we are pleased to see the passage of S.9629 (Bottcher)/A.1962 (Anderson), known as Francesco’s Law. The bill strengthens New York State’s firearm safe storage requirements, enhances accountability, and improves data collection to help understand the risk factors and develop targeted prevention strategies. The legislation is named in memory of Francesco, a 17-year old youth, who died after accessing an unsecured firearm in the home.
This legislation requires the owners of a firearm, shotgun, or rifle to securely store them when not in immediate possession or control in an appropriate safe storage depository or rendered incapable of being fired by use of a gun locking device appropriate to that weapon. In addition, the legislation extends these child access prevention measures to apply to all minors under 18, regardless of whether they reside in the home.
The bill mandates that any person found in violation of these provisions must receive educational materials prepared by the Office of Gun Violence Prevention regarding the secure storage of firearms. Importantly, the legislation requires the Office of Gun Violence Prevention to collect and analyze statistical and other information and data with respect to injuries or deaths of minors resulting from failure to safely store a firearm, rifle, or shotgun, including recommendations for preventing and reducing gun violence.
A growing number of states are enacting similar laws to require firearms to be securely stored. Studies have found these laws have been proven effective in lowering suicide rates, unintentional injuries, homicides among youth. Sen. Bottcher’s press release on the passage is available here.
We thank Francesco’s family and advocates who fought tirelessly to see this bill passed. MHANYS looks forward to Governor Hochul signing the bill into law.
