North Country lawmaker introduces bill that would repeal additional fees for New Yorkers completing background checks for firearms, ammunition

ALBANY, NY- New Yorkers will soon be paying an additional fee to complete their background checks for firearms and ammunition.

On September 13, State Police will replace the federal National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) for gun and ammunition purchases in New York State.

This means New Yorkers will be charged a fee to complete the background check-$9 for guns and $2.50 for ammunition.

This charge will be imposed every time someone wants to purchase a gun or ammunition in the State, says State Senator Mark Walczyk, who has responded with a bill, which aims to repeal these additional fees.

"The surcharge on ammo is ridiculous and unconstitutional," Walczyk said; going on to say the new fee unfairly penalizes people who want to lawfully carry in New York.

"NICS checks on gun purchases are a common sense way to keep guns out of the hands of criminals. However, Kathy Hochul's ammo tax only penalizes law-abiding firearm owners. This Albany Democrat overreach is going to hurt small gun shops across New York and jobs are going to be lost across the state as a direct result of this policy. Because Democrats continue to scribble over the US Constitution, I've penned a new bill to repeal the ammunition and gun purchase fees."

Senator Walczyk is also officially a co-sponsor to Senator Joe Griffo's bill, S.2635. This bill would repeal the changes made by chapter 371 of 2022, which includes provisions such as disqualifiers based on "good moral character" and restrictions on where a licensed gun owner can carry.

Mark Walczyk image.