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Assembly clarifies law to treat pistol 'converters' as machine-gun conversion devices
Summary
A chapter amendment to penal law clarifies that devices converting semiautomatic pistols to continuous-fire mechanisms are treated as rapid-fire modification devices; sponsors cited ATF recovery data and public-safety rationale while opponents said federal law already covers the conduct.
The Assembly passed a chapter amendment expanding penal-law language to expressly include pistol "converters" among rapid-fire modification devices, which the sponsor said are used to convert semiautomatic pistols into weapons capable of continuous fire.
Sponsor remarks pointed to federal reports showing a dramatic increase in recovered conversion devices and framed the amendment as a public-safety measure meant to close perceived statutory gaps. Opposing members argued federal law already outlaws machine-gun conversion devices and said state duplication creates regulatory complexity and may burden law-abiding owners. One member summarized the opposition by urging colleagues not to "change the firearms terminology" without federal consistency.
Floor votes show Ayes 102, Nos 46 and the bill passed. Sponsor statements included references to federal ATF reporting and to multiple states passing similar measures; opponents focused on constitutional and regulatory concerns.
