Assembly BillIntroduced
A 4988: Relates to the definition of an assault weapon.
What A 4988 does, verified January 8, 2026
The bill aims to redefine what constitutes an assault weapon in New York state. It would classify certain semi-automatic rifles and shotguns as assault weapons based on specific design features. These features include a folding or telescoping stock, a pistol grip, a thumbhole stock, a second handgrip, a bayonet mount, and others. The bill would also define semi-automatic shotguns with a fixed magazine capacity of more than seven rounds as assault weapons. The changes would take effect immediately, expanding the definition of assault weapons in the state.
Bill journey
1IntroducedCurrent
2In CommitteePending
3First Chamber FloorPending
4Second ChamberPending
5GovernorPending
6ChapteredPending
Last action: referred to codes (2026-01-07)Alert me
Quick answers about A 4988
- What is the current status of A 4988?
- As of January 8, 2026, A 4988 is recorded as "Introduced": it has been introduced and is waiting for its first committee hearing or floor vote. The last recorded action, on January 7, 2026, was "referred to codes".
- Did A 4988 pass?
- Not yet. A 4988 has been introduced and has not passed either house.
- Who wrote A 4988, and where is it now?
- A 4988 was authored by Asm. David DiPietro. Its committee of record is Assembly Codes.
Author and sponsors
Full contact details, staff, and committees with Connect, $16/moUnlockRecent actions2 total · showing 2
| Jan. 07, 2026 | referred to codes |
| Feb. 10, 2025 | referred to codes |
Latest bill textIntroduced version, February 10, 2025 · 311 words
STATE OF NEW YORK ________________________________________________________________________ 4988 2025-2026 Regular Sessions IN ASSEMBLY February 10, 2025 ___________ Introduced by M. of A. DiPIETRO -- read once and referred to the Commit- tee on Codes AN ACT to amend the penal law, in relation to the definition of assault weapon The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem- bly, do enact as follows: 1 Section 1. Paragraphs (a) and (b) of subdivision 22 of section 265.00 2 of the penal law, as added by chapter 1 of the laws of 2013, are amended 3 to read as follows: 4 (a) a semiautomatic rifle that has an ability to accept a detachable 5 magazine and has at least one of the following characteristics: 6 (i) a folding or telescoping stock; 7 (ii) a pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of 8 the weapon; 9 (iii) [a thumbhole stock;10(iv)] a second handgrip or a protruding grip that can be held by the 11 non-trigger hand; 12 [(v)] (iv) a bayonet mount; 13 [(vi)] (v) a flash suppressor, muzzle break, muzzle compensator, or 14 threaded barrel designed to accommodate a flash suppressor, muzzle 15 break, or muzzle compensator; 16 [(vii)] (vi) a grenade launcher; or 17 (b) a semiautomatic shotgun that has at least one of the following 18 characteristics: 19 (i) a folding or telescoping stock; 20 (ii) [a thumbhole stock;21(iii)] a second handgrip or a protruding grip that can be held by the 22 non-trigger hand; 23 [(iv)] (iii) a fixed magazine capacity in excess of seven rounds; 24 [(v)] (iv) an ability to accept a detachable magazine; or 25 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately. EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [] is old law to be omitted. LBD07258-01-5
Text of A 4988 as introduced, from the official record. Connect Plus keeps every version and highlights what changed.Compare versions