Res. No. 731
Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to introduce and pass, and the Governor to sign, legislation modeled on California’s AB 1743, making full gun trace data and trends available upon request to municipal governments and academic institutions for policy research
By Council Members J. Sanchez and Thomas-Henry
Whereas, According to the Council on Foreign Relations, the United States has the world’s highest rate of gun ownership; and
Whereas, According to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, the United States has the highest rates of firearm homicides among large, high-income countries; and
Whereas, On September 26, 2026, AB 1743 was signed into law by California Governor Gavin Newsom; and
Whereas, The bill, introduced by California Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, requires that identification and tracing information related to crime guns, as defined, shall be made available upon request, to any town, city, or county in California, any state government agency, the University of California, the California State University, or any private nonprofit university in California for academic and policy research purposes; and
Whereas, While New York State requires tracking and reporting on the origin of firearms used in crimes, it only reports aggregate information such total firearm traces, most frequently traced firearm caliber, most frequently traced crime gun, and number of occurrences where the purchaser is the possessor of the crime gun; and
Whereas, The New York State Crime Gun Report does not require reporting the underlying records; and
Whereas, This underlying data could greatly academic institutions and municipalities when they are conducting research that could impact public policy;
Whereas, There is currently no formal data-sharing agreement like that of California’s between New York State and its municipalities and academic institutions; and
Whereas, Complete, detail-rich data on crime guns is a crucial component of combatting gun violence and we should offer municipal governments and academic institutions the ability to utilize this data when making decisions and shaping policy that could impact public safety; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the New York State Legislature to introduce and pass, and the Governor to sign, legislation modeled on California’s AB 1743, making full gun trace data and trends available upon request to municipal governments and academic institutions for policy research.
WD
10/27/2026
LS 25801