New Rules Are Now in Effect for Imitation Weapons Throughout New York

by M.C. Millman

New legislation limiting imitation weapons went into effect last Monday in New York State. 

Legislation S.687/A.3998, signed by Governor Hochul in August, is intended to make imitation weapons easily identifiable. The purpose of the new legislation is to allow law enforcement to identify an imitation device, thereby preventing it from being used to commit crimes. 

There have been 63 shootings, eight of which were deadly, across the state because someone mistook an imitation weapon for a gun, according to State Attorney General Letitia James.

All imitation weapons are now banned in New York State unless they are brightly colored or made completely from translucent materials. According to the governor's website, imitation weapons cannot be black, blue, silver or aluminum. They must be colored white, bright red, bright orange, bright yellow, bright green, bright blue, bright pink, or bright purple, or be made entirely of transparent or translucent materials.

There are exceptions to this new legislation, such as realistic-looking imitation weapons for use in theatrical productions. 

While existing restrictions have existed for imitation weapons, Governor Hochul felt that there must be more consistency throughout the state. 

Photo: Flickr