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Bill

Bill

A 9373

Relates to the purchase of firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories

2025 Regular Session Introduced by William Colton and 12 co-sponsors

Bidders for firearms procurements must certify licensure, compliance, anti-trafficking policies, training, surveillance, and reporting; noncompliance bars bids.

REPORTED REFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 9373

Summary of Bill A. 9373-A (2025-2026) – New York

Purpose and main intent

  • This bill adds a new requirement for bids by state or public entities for the purchase of firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories. It mandates a certification from bidders attesting compliance with licensing, laws, and specific anti-trafficking and safety measures.
  • The overarching goal is to strengthen oversight of firearm-related purchases by ensuring vendors meet prescribed standards prior to bid awards.

Key provisions and changes

1) New bid certification requirement (Section 139-n)
- For competitive bids (where bidding is required by statute, rule, or regulation) for firearms, ammunition, or accessories, bidders must include a sworn statement (under penalty of perjury) certifying:
- (i) Proper licensure to sell or transfer firearms, ammunition, or accessories (where such licensure is required by law).
- (ii) Compliance with all applicable laws and regulations governing sale, transfer, storage, and disposition of firearms, ammunition, and accessories.
- (iii) Do not sell or transfer unserialized gun build kits or firearm precursor parts.
- (iv) Existence of written policies to prevent, detect, and screen for straw purchases and firearm trafficking.
- (v) Existence of written policies to prevent, detect, and screen against sales to individuals prohibited from possessing firearms.
- (vi) Existence of written policies to prevent, detect, document, and report theft or loss of firearms, ammunition, or accessories.
- (vii) Employee training on relevant federal, state, and local laws.
- (viii) Operation of a digital video surveillance system at each premises where firearms, ammunition, or accessories are sold, stored, or transferred.
- For non-competitive (non-bid) purchases, departments may require the same certification at their discretion.

2) Electronic submission option (Section 139-n, subsection 2)
- The required certification may be submitted electronically, aligning with existing electronic bid submission provisions.

3) Compliance prerequisite for bids (Section 139-n, subdivision 3)
- Bids will not be considered for award if the bidder has not complied with the certification requirements.
- If a bidder cannot make the certification, they must state this and provide a signed detailed explanation. The awarding department may request documentation (e.g., inspection reports, notices of violation) to verify certifications or statements.

4) Corporate authorization (Section 139-n, subdivision 4)
- For corporate bidders, a bid containing the certification shall be deemed authorized by the corporation’s board of directors, effectively authorizing the signing and submission of the bid and the inclusion of the certification as the act of the corporation.

Who would be affected

  • Bidders and vendors seeking state or public entity contracts for firearms, ammunition, or firearm accessories.
  • Public agencies and departments that purchase firearms or related items.
  • Corporate bidders would have their board authorization implicitly confirmed for bid submissions containing the certification.

Timeline and effective date

  • Effective date: April 1, 2027.
  • The bill was introduced in the 2025-2026 session and amended/recommitted in 2026, with a reprint as A. 9373-A.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Strengthens vendor due diligence by tying bid eligibility to compliance and anti-trafficking policies.
  • May raise compliance and administrative costs for vendors due to required policies, training, surveillance, and recordkeeping.
  • Could reduce the risk of purchases from unlicensed or noncompliant sellers and improve traceability through enhanced surveillance requirements.
  • Electronic submission flexibility may streamline processes for bidders.
  • The bill creates a potential for increased enforcement scrutiny through documentation requests and perjury-penalty certifications.

This summary highlights the bill’s core requirements and practical effects on bidding for firearms-related procurements in New York. If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with current law or a checklist for potential bidders to prepare for compliance.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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