Bill Banning ‘Lifelike’ Toy Guns Passed By New York State Senate

ALBANY – A bill that would ban ‘life like’ toy guns and other ‘imitation weapons’ was passed by the New York State Senate on Tuesday.

The proposed legislation sponsored by a New York City democrat aims to outlaw all imitation weapons that are “brightly colored” or “constructed entirely of transparent or translucent materials, along with other identifying features.”

Lawmakers say the move is in light of several shootings linked to fake firearms being mistaken for real weapons. They say since the mid-1990s more than 60 shootings statewide have occurred because someone mistook a fake gun for the real thing.

The bill now heads to the State Assembly for consideration.

#BREAKING: The @NYSenate just passed my bill to ban lifelike imitation weapons.

Since 1994, there have been at least 63 shootings in New York State because of toy or imitation guns. We’re going to save lives. #EndGunViolence pic.twitter.com/zZkR01M8rj

— Senator Brad Hoylman (@bradhoylman) July 21, 2020