Hochul signs "Francesco's Law" requiring locked storage of guns not in use, and a bill tightening ammunition background checks
The storage law is named for a 17-year-old who died by suicide after accessing an unsecured shotgun, the governor's office said. A second law bars people prohibited from owning a rifle or shotgun from buying ammunition.
As of 7:56 a.m. ET, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Wednesday signed a law requiring gun owners to store firearms in a locked container when they are not being used, along with a second bill that aligns background checks for ammunition purchases with those for firearms, her office said.
The storage measure, A.1962-B/S.9629, known as "Francesco's Law," requires gun owners to securely store firearms in "an appropriate, locked storage container" when not in use and creates stronger penalties when minors and unlicensed people gain access to unsecured guns, according to the governor's office. The office said it closes a gap in state law that allowed owners to leave firearms unsecured in homes without children or prohibited people.
Hochul signed the bills at the New Yorkers Against Gun Violence annual benefit dinner on the fifth anniversary of the death of 17-year-old Francesco, who died by suicide after accessing an unsecured shotgun, her office said.
Ammunition checks
The second law, S.7236/A.7943, clarifies that people prohibited from owning a rifle or shotgun, or subject to a temporary or extreme risk protection order, may not buy ammunition, the governor's office said.
"Today, I'm proud to make our nation-leading laws even stronger to keep guns and ammunition out of the wrong hands and make our children and communities safer," Hochul said.
State Sen. Erik Bottcher said, "A locked gun can mean the difference between a life lost and a life saved." Assemblymember Jeffrey Dinowitz said of the ammunition bill: "If a person fails a background check to buy or possess a shotgun or rifle, they should also be unable to purchase ammunition."
What is not known
The governor's release does not say when the laws take effect or what penalty levels the storage law sets.
Sources
- New York State Office of the Governor, "Preventing Firearm Injuries and Deaths," press release dated Oct. 21, 2026, as distributed by EIN Presswire, 9:46 p.m. ET Oct. 21 (01:46 UTC Oct. 22)
- Governor Kathy Hochul, "Keeping New Yorkers Safe: Governor Hochul Signs Commonsense Gun Safety Legislation to Reduce Firearm Injuries and Deaths," Oct. 21, 2026 (time not shown)
