Sandy MaloneAlbany, NY – New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed a bill into law on Tuesday targeting toy gun manufacturers and putting restrictions on what colors the toys must be painted.
Hochul heralded the new law as a step toward fighting crime in the state of New York, FOX News reported.
“Restricting these realistic-looking devices will ensure misleading and potentially dangerous devices are off our streets, keeping kids, law enforcement and all New Yorkers safe,” the governor told reporters on Aug. 16 when she signed the legislation into law.
Until the new law, toys guns must be painted a bright color such as white, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, pink, or purple, FOX News reported.
Toys guns may also be completely transparent.
Black, blue, silver and aluminum guns were already prohibited by state law, according to FOX News.
The new state law will not apply to toy firearms used in theatrical performances.
Hochul’s office released data in a press release that showed there had been 63 instances in 28 years where toy guns were mistaken for real guns and resulted in a shooting.
“Improperly designed imitation guns pose an unnecessary and indefensible risk to the lives of our children,” New York State Senator Brad Hoylman said in the governor’s press release.
“Since 1994, there have been at least 63 shootings in New York State as a result of imitation weapons being mistaken for real firearms, at least 8 of which were fatal,” Hoylman continued. “From now on, however, toy guns in New York will no longer be mistaken for real weapons.”
Similar laws are already in effect in New York City, FOX News reported.
The new law goes into effect in November, 90 days after it was signed by the governor.
The new law was crafted in accordance with a 2015 settlement between the New York attorney general at the time and 30 retailers that had been selling realistic toy guns to customers in New York, FOX News reported.
Holly Matkin
