Allows physically disabled individuals who are not able to stand up to complete the two-hour live-fire range training course requirement for a concealed carry license while sitting.
S10438 amends New York’s Penal Law section 400.00, which governs concealed carry pistol licenses, to create an accommodation for certain applicants with physical disabilities. Under current law, applicants for a concealed carry license must complete a 16-hour firearms safety course and a 2-hour live-fire range training course, and must demonstrate proficiency through a written test and range qualification. This bill keeps those training and proficiency requirements in place, but allows an applicant who has a physical disability that prevents standing to complete the live-fire portion and proficiency demonstration while sitting, so long as the applicant provides medical information verifying the disability.
The bill also clarifies that the accommodation applies to both initial issuance and renewal of a concealed carry license, including the first renewal for licenses issued before the effective date. It takes effect immediately and does not otherwise change the substantive training curriculum, proficiency standards, or licensing framework for concealed carry applicants.
The bill would amend Penal Law § 400.00(19) to add a disability-based accommodation to New York’s concealed carry licensing training requirements. It affects applicants for licenses issued or renewed under Penal Law § 400.00(2)(f), as well as instructors and licensing authorities administering the required firearms safety and live-fire training. The measure does not eliminate the live-fire requirement or lower the proficiency standard; it only permits qualifying applicants who cannot stand due to a physical disability to complete the range portion while seated, subject to medical verification and existing DCJS/state police rules.
The available context suggests a generally supportive and noncontroversial bill. The caption frames the measure as a narrow accessibility accommodation for physically disabled applicants, and there is no recorded committee debate or vote history indicating opposition. The bill appears designed to preserve public-safety training requirements while making compliance feasible for a limited class of applicants.
The main issue likely to draw attention is the balance between accessibility and maintaining firearms training standards. Supporters would emphasize equal access for disabled applicants who cannot stand, while any critics might question whether seated live-fire training is sufficiently comparable or whether the medical verification standard is adequate. Because the bill is narrowly tailored and does not alter the underlying licensing requirements, no specific organized opposition is reflected in the available materials.