New York statute
N.Y. Penal Law § 265.17 — Criminal purchase or disposal of a weapon
Current through 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17)
Part of Article 265: Firearms and Other Dangerous Weapons, New York Penal Law.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of N.Y. Penal Law § 265.17
Statutory text current through the 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17). This publication reproduces the text of the Consolidated Laws of New York as provided by the New York State Senate's Open Legislation service (Legislative Bill Drafting Commission statutory text); it is not the official statutes of the State of New York.
265.17 Criminal purchase or disposal of a weapon.
A person is guilty of criminal purchase or disposal of a weapon when:
1. Knowing that he or she is prohibited by law from possessing a
firearm, rifle or shotgun because of a prior conviction or because of
some other disability which would render him or her ineligible to
lawfully possess a firearm, rifle or shotgun in this state, or knowing
that he or she is the subject of an outstanding warrant of arrest issued
upon the alleged commission of a felony or serious offense, such person
purchases or otherwise acquires a firearm, rifle or shotgun from another
person; or
2. Knowing that it would be unlawful for another person to possess a
firearm, rifle or shotgun, or knowing that another person is the subject
of an outstanding warrant of arrest issued upon the alleged commission
of a felony or serious offense, he or she purchases or otherwise
acquires a firearm, rifle or shotgun for, on behalf of, or for the use
of such other person; or
3. Knowing that another person is prohibited by law from possessing a
firearm, rifle or shotgun because of a prior conviction or because of
some other disability which would render him or her ineligible to
lawfully possess a firearm, rifle or shotgun in this state, or knowing
that another person is the subject of an outstanding warrant of arrest
issued upon the alleged commission of a felony or serious offense, a
person disposes of a firearm, rifle or shotgun to such other person.
Criminal purchase or disposal of a weapon is a class D felony.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
Questions this section answers
What class of felony is criminal purchase or disposal of a weapon in New York?
Criminal purchase or disposal of a weapon is a Class D Felony in New York under N.Y. Penal Law § 265.17.
Which New York statute covers criminal purchase or disposal of a weapon?
Criminal purchase or disposal of a weapon is governed by N.Y. Penal Law § 265.17 (Criminal purchase or disposal of a weapon).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.