Hochul Expands Gun Control Again, Mandates Firearm Confiscation on Domestic Calls

Governor Kathy Hochul has signed off on yet another expansion of New York’s gun control laws, requiring police to confiscate firearms during domestic violence calls. The move has been praised by progressives but slammed by Republicans and gun rights advocates as a direct assault on due process.

The measure, which took effect immediately after Hochul’s signature on October 16th, goes further than a 2020 law that gave officers discretion to remove weapons in plain sight. Under the new mandate, police are obligated to seize firearms if a victim claims to feel threatened or if officers decide a risk exists.

The seizure occurs despite the circumstances and without investigation into the validity of abuse claims.

Supporters frame the law as a public safety tool.

“No one should live in fear in their own home,” said Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, a Democrat who carried the measure in the Assembly. “By ensuring that law enforcement temporarily removes firearms when responding to domestic violence calls, we’re giving survivors the time and safety they need to take their next steps.”

Sen. Peter Harckham, the bill’s Senate sponsor, added, “While I am heartened that this legislation has been signed into law, now it is up to law enforcement professionals statewide to help further protect residents who experience domestic violence.”

Hochul, who has leaned heavily on gun control to bolster her progressive credentials, championed the bill despite mounting concerns over constitutional rights. Republicans say the law will unfairly punish lawful gun owners while doing little to address repeat offenders already released under the state’s controversial bail reform system.

State data shows that between 2018 and 2022, New York saw 613 domestic homicides. Most involved knives or cutting instruments, while firearms were used in about 34% of cases. Even so, critics argue Hochul is exploiting tragic statistics to justify seizing more guns.

Tom King, president of the New York State Rifle and Pistol Association, warned about the abuse of power embedded in the statute. “When the enforcement people also become the prosecution and are able to institute a warrant because of a perceived threat without any background check, it puts us all in danger,” King said. He noted that New York’s Red Flag laws already allowed courts to authorize gun seizures with judicial oversight, which is a safeguard Hochul’s new mandate sidesteps.

Republicans in the state Senate opposed the bill in June. Sen. George Borrello of Sunset Bay said the law is deeply flawed, pointing out that it could strip firearms from victims while their abusers quickly return to the streets under lax bail policies. He argued lawmakers should focus on jailing violent offenders rather than restricting lawful citizens.

The law also lengthens the time police can hold seized weapons. Instead of two days, officers now have at least five days before guns must be returned if there is no court order or legal restriction barring possession. Critics warn that in practice, gun owners may face costly and drawn-out court battles just to reclaim their property. King pointed out that under Red Flag cases, even after orders are lifted, owners often need lawyers and court motions that cost thousands of dollars.

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Hochul Expands Gun Control Again, Mandates Firearm Confiscation on Domestic Calls