April 10, 2014: This year New Yorkers have another reason to dislike April 15—it’s the deadline for registering assault weapons under the NY SAFE Act.  As the date approaches, many believe that it, like the deadline in CT, will be largely ignored.  How the state will respond if it is ignored remains unknown.

In addition, firearms laws have seen significant activity across the country recently:

  • Michigan: The governor recently signed a bill that effectively repeals the state’s ban on short-barreled firearms.  The bill created an exception to the state’s current ban on short-barreled rifles and shotguns for those who otherwise comply with federal laws on these National Firearm Act regulated items. The signing of this bill brings Michigan in line with the 41 other states that already permit ownership of these firearms.
  • Nebraska: The governor signed a bill which allows Nebraska residents to purchase rifles and shotguns in non-contiguous states so long as the transaction complies with state and federal law.  The bill, which took immediate effect, brings Nebraska state law into conformity with federal law (and the law of 40 other states).
  • Pennsylvania: Legislation to repeal the Pennsylvania Instant Check System (PICS) is pending before the House Judiciary Committee.  The legislation, which is expected to reach a vote in the near future, would eliminate the added requirement and cost associated with PICS and permit the sale of firearms based solely on the National Instant Check System.
  • Colorado: The case which was filed in federal court last year to overturn the magazine capacity restrictions and mandatory background check laws enacted in Colorado completed its first week of trial last week.  The plaintiffs rested their case on Friday, and the state is expected to rest its case today, after which Judge Marcia Krieger will decide the fate of the laws.
  • Illinois:  New statistics show that the crime rate in the City of Chicago has declined since the enactment of the concealed carry laws and the increase in firearms ownership within the city.  Given that Chicago has traditionally had one of the highest crime rates and (at least prior to last year) banned concealed carry, the statistics strongly suggest that there is a correlation between reducing restrictiveness of firearms laws and reducing crime.