New York Senate Bill S02731

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/22/25
• Refer: 1/22/25
• Refer: 1/7/26

Caption

Allows rifles, shotguns, and firearms on college and university campuses.

Summary

This bill would amend New York’s Penal Law section on criminal possession of a weapon on school grounds to remove colleges and universities from the prohibition on possessing rifles, shotguns, and firearms in or on educational buildings and grounds. Under current law, possessing those weapons on school grounds without written authorization is a class E felony, and the bill would keep that rule for K-12 school grounds and school buses while carving out college and university buildings and grounds from the statute. The measure also preserves the existing restrictions for schools generally and retains the special limitation that schools may not authorize certain employees to carry unless they are primarily employed as school resource officers, police officers, peace officers, or qualified armed security guards. The bill would take effect on November 1 following enactment.

Impact

If enacted, the bill would narrow the scope of Penal Law § 265.01-a by excluding college and university campuses from the definition of places where criminal possession of a weapon on school grounds applies. That would remove the class E felony exposure for possessing rifles, shotguns, or firearms on higher-education campuses under this specific statute, while leaving the prohibition intact for other school grounds and school buses. The change would affect students, faculty, staff, visitors, campus security policies, and law enforcement enforcement practices at public and private colleges and universities in New York.

Sentiment

The available record shows the bill was introduced and referred to committee, but there are no recorded committee transcripts or votes provided here. Based on the bill’s caption and text, the proposal appears to be a pro-gun-carry measure focused on higher education campuses, which would likely be supported by those favoring expanded lawful firearm possession and opposed by those concerned about campus safety. Because no debate or vote history is included, the actual legislative sentiment cannot be measured from the supplied materials.

Contention

The central point of contention is whether college and university campuses should be treated differently from K-12 school grounds for purposes of firearm possession. Supporters would likely argue that adults on campus should not be subject to the same blanket prohibition as younger students in primary and secondary schools, while opponents would likely argue that removing the ban could increase risks to students, faculty, and staff and complicate campus security. Another likely issue is the bill’s interaction with institutional authority, since it would limit the statute’s reach on campuses rather than relying on written authorization from the institution.