Syracuse.com - Persons convicted of a felony are banned from possessing black powder or muzzle-loading guns

[HuntingNY-News]

This legislative change became effective on January 30, 2012 and now makes it a misdemeanor under Penal Law section 265.01(1) for a prohibited person to possess these type weapons.

The following is a State Police press release:

The New York State Police Gun Investigation Unit from Troop B Headquarters in Ray Brook, NY, would like to educate the public regarding a recent amendment to the laws of New York State associated with the possession of black powder or muzzle-loading weapons.

On August 3, 2011 the New York State Penal Law was amended to include antique firearms, black powder rifles, black powder shotguns, and any muzzle-loading firearm in the list of weapons that a person convicted of a felony or serious offense is prohibited from possessing. This legislative change became effective on January 30, 2012 and now makes it a misdemeanor under Penal Law section 265.01(1) for a prohibited person to possess these type weapons.

Prior to this law becoming effective, those people convicted of felonies and serious offenses were allowed to possess muzzle-loading weapons. This new law removes that right and will affect all prohibited persons, regardless of when their conviction occurred, as the new law contained no grandfather clause.

The only option available to a prohibited person who would like to continue possessing muzzle-loading weapons is to apply for a Certificate of Relief with the court of conviction requesting that he or she be relieved from this disability. This holds true for all convictions, except those in which a person was sentenced to a term of imprisonment with the NYS Department of Corrections. Relief from these convictions would have to be sought from the New York State Parole Board.

Further information regarding these certificates can be obtained from the NYS DCJS Office of Probation and Correctional Alternatives website.

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog