The state of New York has laws on the books that take a strong stance against owning, manufacturing or transporting or an assault weapon through the state. New York defines an assault weapon as a semi-automatic rifle, pistol or shotgun that is powered by a detachable magazine and has either a folding, protruding, thumb-hole or telescoping stock; secondary handgrips; mounts for additional weaponry such as a bayonet or grenade launcher; or a barrel that can accommodate a flash suppressor, muzzle compensator or break, or a suppressor.
Is it Legal to Own an Assault Weapon in New York?
New York’s definition of an assault rifle applies to any and all weapons that have been processed through legal channels prior to January 15, 2013, when new regulations were put in place. These weapons that have been grandfathered into legal status may exchanged disposed of or sold to, but the recipient of the weapon must be authorized to take possession of such a weapon before the transaction is officially recognized by the state. However, the owner of an assault weapon may transfer the weapon to a party that resides in another state provided that the neighboring state permits the transfer of assault weapons and the transfer of possession is made known within 72 hours of transfer.
These sets of circumstances do not permit one party to transfer assault weapons into the country under these permissions, and any caught attempting to do so may be found guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
If you are looking for a lawyer that listens, is aggressive where needed, and holds his word above all else, Todd is the best pick. I had hired multiple attorneys prior to hiring the Spodek Group for a white collar case. The first thing that stood out to me was the cost, as anyone going through the process and dealing with the system, money was tight at that time - especially after hiring and firing multiple lawyers. The cost was not as high as others which was definitely a plus. Todd's intake process was also unlike other attorneys. He took the time to actually listen. He cared. He was trying to put himself in my shoes while I was explaining the situation to him and he really took the time to understand the whole situation. Other lawyers will give you 15 mins and send you a retainer agreement. Not Todd, I think he spent almost two hours with me as I was explaining everything.Not only was he great during the onboarding process, he was supportive and very informative through the entire plea process and eventually sentencing. After hiring him, I asked if I should hire a prison consultant, he told me to save my money as he would do everything they would. He was right and held up to his word. Later on I would hear from others that went with the prison consultants that they were a waste of money - I am glad I listened to Todd!When it came time for sentencing, two days prior to sentencing, the prosecutor tried increasing my proposed prison time by almost double - apparently a normal move. Todd and his team worked with me non-stop through the weekend prior to sentencing to ensure that I was not given additional prison time. Again, he took the time to listen and came up with a strategy to explain the case with great detail.Unfortunately, I did plead guilty as that was my best option. Todd and his whole team wrote up nearly 300 pages of a summary of what happened and why I should not be given prison time. If I breakdown the amount I spent with Todd versus the amount of work that I saw being done, I am shocked I was not charged four times as much. The other benefit was, a lot of criminal defense lawyers were just a single attorney with a paralegal or two. Todd had a team of people that I dealt with (5-7 people that I interacted with), but he was ALWAYS accessible. It would never take him more than an hour to reply unless he was in court.I was sentenced to prison and I was emotionally distraught. Todd and his team did whatever they could even after sentencing to make sure I was alright. He personally stayed in touch with my family to ensure I was doing alright and offered support to them. Most lawyers would consider the job complete at sentencing, not Todd.After prison, Todd still spent time with me to make sure I was on the right track and avoiding any potential risks in the future. He has also been giving advice on how to navigate probation etc and has not been looking at the clock for billing.Although I wish I had never been arrested in the first place, I am glad I had Todd and his team in my corner. Without them I likely would have had to spend a lot more time in prison than I did.Thank you, Todd, and the entire Spodek Law team, for helping turn what was a nightmare into a manageable situation!
I am immensely grateful to the entire team at Spodek Law Group for their unwavering dedication and exceptional expertise throughout my case. From our initial consultation to the final resolution, their professionalism and tireless advocacy made all the difference. Their strategic approach and attention to detail instilled confidence in me every step of the way.Thanks to their hard work and commitment, we achieved a truly favorable outcome that exceeded my expectations. Not only did they navigate the complexities of my case with precision, but they also provided invaluable support and guidance during what was undoubtedly a challenging time. I cannot recommend Spodek Law Group highly enough, especially attorneys Todd Spodek and Claire Banks; they are beacons of excellence in the legal profession.YSP.
Todd, Ralph and Alex are amazing. Helped my husband get from a double digit number with multiple charges to a single digit, by the time I blink he will be out. They very professional and help with all your needs. They dealt with my anxiety and worry very well and they understand that your family member needs to get home as soon as possible.
Believe every single review here about Alex Z!! From our initial consultation, it was evident that Alex possessed a profound understanding of criminal law and a fierce dedication to his clients rights. Throughout the entirety of my case, Alex exhibited unparalleled professionalism and unwavering commitment. What sets Alex apart is not only his legal expertise but also his genuine compassion for his clients. He took the time to thoroughly explain my case, alleviating any concerns I had along the way. His exact words were “I’m not worried about it”. His unwavering support and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. I am immensely grateful for Alex's exceptional legal representation and wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Alex Z is not just a lawyer; he is a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of the legal system. If you find yourself in need of a dedicated and competent legal advocate, look no further than Alex Z.
I don’t know where to start, I can write a novel about this firm, but one thing I will say is that having my best interest was their main priority since the beginning of my case which was back in Winter 2019. Miss Claire Banks, one of the best Attorneys in the firm represented me very well and was very professional, respectful, and truthful. Not once did she leave me in the dark, in fact she presented all options and routes that could possibly be considered for my case and she reinsured me that no matter what I decided to do, her and the team will have my back and that’s exactly what happened. Not only will I be liberated from this case, also, I will enjoy my freedom and continue to be a mother to my first born son and will have no restrictions with accomplishing my goals in life. Now that’s what I call victory!! I thank the Lord, My mother, Claire, and the Spodek team for standing by me and fighting with me. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m very satisfied, very pleased with their performance, their hard work, and their diligence.Thank you team!
I recently had Spodek Law Group represent me for a legal matter in NYC and I am thoroughly impressed with their services.Alex Zhik secured the best possible outcome for my case.It was a seamless journey from the initial consultation to the resolution of my legal matter. From the moment I spoke to Todd about my case, his enthusiasm to help was evident, setting a positive tone for the entire experience. The efficiency and professionalism displayed by the team is commendable.A particularly noteworthy aspect of their service is their user-friendly portal to upload your documents/evidence. This not only simplified the process, but showcases their commitment to streamline the client experience.Lastly, in an industry where legal fees can often be a concern, I found their pricing to be very reasonable, making needing legal assistance feel accessible and stress-free.I am grateful for their support and wouldn't hesitate to turn to them again in the future.
In order to maintain a legal status of one’s assault weapon, it must have been purchased prior to the January 15, 2013 deadline and an application must be on file to register this weapon with the Superintendent of State Police.
Registering an Assault Weapon
The Superintendent retains all jurisdiction over these matters and sets the conditions for registration of weapons and the issuance of firearms licenses or the amendment of existing licenses obtained prior to January 14, 2014. This will require the submission of one’s name, date of birth, current address, social security number and description of any and all weapons owned by individual that is being registered. The license holder must also have their certifications checked once every five years by the Division of State Police or face revocation of their licensed status within the state. This process is to determine whether or not the individual applying for registration has the legal permissions to do so.
Who Can Register an Assault Weapon
There are legal restrictions may apply to individuals who’ve been convicted of serious offenses that fall under the New York Penal Code that prevent them from owning any firearms regardless of whether they meet the requirements for assault weapon status. Other restrictions may also apply to individuals with mental illnesses who are considered a credible threat to themselves and others as defined by the New York Mental Hygiene Law.
What Happens When You Don’t Register Your Assault Weapon
Failing to register an assault weapon already in one’s possession prior to January 15, 2014, means the individual has knowingly placed themselves in a position to be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. This is in a case where it can be legally proven that the individual knowingly neglected registration. In the instance an individual unknowingly failed to register an assault weapon they are given a warning with a time frame in which they must formally register.
What to do Next?
If you’re thinking of purchasing a weapon or registering one but are unsure of your legal status to own it in the state or your ability to have it registered, consider consulting legal counsel from Raiser & Kenniff. This legal team is well versed in the permissions granted by New York law and can guarantee one has full access to their rights.
