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New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is promising to fight a package of federal firearms reforms before many of them even become final.
During a July 30 event, Hochul accused the Trump administration of abandoning public safety through more than 30 proposed ATF rule changes.
She called the proposals a “shameless giveaway to the gun lobby” and announced several state actions intended to limit their effect in New York.
“We’re here to fight back,” Hochul said.
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More Inspections for New York Gun Dealers
Hochul said New York State Police will increase on-site inspections of gun dealers connected to firearms later recovered at crime scenes.
Dealers who violate state law could face enforcement from State Police, Attorney General Letitia James and local district attorneys.
“Follow the laws or we’re shutting you down,” Hochul warned.
Her administration will also launch an education campaign reminding dealers and licensing officials that New York’s firearm restrictions remain in effect regardless of changes at the federal level.
The campaign will use direct mail and email to explain which federal changes are blocked or limited by existing state law.
Interstate Gun Task Force Returns
Hochul also plans to reconvene New York’s Interstate Task Force on Illegal Guns this fall.
The task force currently involves New York and 11 other states. Its stated mission is to share information and target interstate firearm trafficking.
Hochul claimed that 80% of guns recovered at New York crime scenes originated outside the state. She blamed firearms moving through states such as Pennsylvania and Georgia for feeding what officials often call the “iron pipeline.”
She also accused ATF leadership of stepping away from interstate enforcement, although she did not provide specific evidence that agents had stopped investigating gun trafficking.
Hochul Targets Remote Firearm Sales
The biggest legislative proposal involves remote firearm transactions.
ATF has proposed expanding non-over-the-counter sales conducted by federally licensed dealers. Hochul described the proposal as allowing guns to be ordered online and delivered like food or shoes.
“What, are you going to have the guns delivered to your door now?” she asked. “A few clicks and boom, a firearm is on the way.”
However, the actual ATF proposal does not eliminate background checks.
It would apply to sales by federally licensed dealers to buyers residing in the same state as the dealer. The buyer’s identity would need to be verified remotely. The dealer would still complete the required transaction procedures and initiate a NICS background check before shipping or delivering the firearm.
The dealer would also have to wait for the NICS response or the end of the legally permitted investigative period.
That is considerably more involved than Hochul’s DoorDash comparison suggests.
Still, Hochul wants New York to prohibit the process entirely.
She promised to introduce legislation during the next state legislative session requiring every firearm sale in New York to occur in person.
“No online sales,” Hochul said. “None. None. Not happening.”
Other ATF Changes in Her Sights
The federal proposals cover far more than remote transactions.
One would revise the Biden administration’s expansive definition of who is “engaged in the business” of selling firearms. The revision would remove several regulatory presumptions while retaining the definition passed by Congress.
Other proposals would clarify when an unexpired state permit can serve as an alternative to a new NICS check, allow electronic recordkeeping and reduce paperwork for lawful interstate travel with certain NFA firearms.
Hochul characterized the entire package as an effort to weaken background checks and help bad actors in the firearm industry.
The federal proposals, however, remain subject to the rulemaking process. They are not the same as Congress passing new laws, and many retain existing background checks and statutory restrictions.
New York’s response is clear either way.
Hochul plans to increase dealer inspections, expand interstate coordination and seek another state restriction on lawful firearm purchases.
“They can turn a blind eye to these illicit gun dealers and violent criminals,” Hochul said, “but New York never will.”
For gun owners, the message is equally clear: Any relief coming from Washington may stop at the New York border.
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is a seasoned outdoorsman, lifelong hunter, and the kind of guy who’d rather track whitetails than scroll social media. As an editor for GunsAmerica, he’s got a sharp eye for spotting both solid gear and bad gun laws. Whether he’s deep in the woods or deep in editorial deadlines, Larry brings a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is approach to firearms, hunting, and the great American tradition of self-reliance. If there’s a hot debate on gun rights or the latest in hunting tech, you can bet Larry’s got an opinion—and it’s probably backed up with both facts and field experience.
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