What is the status of Starter pistols in NY law

[dean3690]

Are starter pistols (revolvers that fire primers) required to be listed on your pistol permit?

 

[dean3690]

Here's an example:

Starter Pistol 209 Shotgun Primer (8 shot)

The Lion Country Supply 209 Champ Blank Pistol is a great price and shoots economical 209 shotgun primers. A reliable workhorse model, crafted from blued steel with solid hardwood grips for frequent use in dog training. These reliable and sturdy pistols are manufactured exclusively for us in...

www.lcsupply.com

 

[FRANKIE]

209 primer trip alarms next?

Only in NY

 

[Saltwater60]

I do not think there is any regulation in these. These are regularly used at school track and cross country meets as starting markers. I see it regularly and I am surprised they still allow them.
As for it being regulated there is nothing about it needed to be shipped to an FFL or not being allowed to be shipped directly to NYS or any other state. Also there is no way this could fire a projectile and the barrels on the ones I have seen are solid.

 

[Getzville 068]

I like the idea of a starter pistol that uses 209 primers. Shot shell primers are much easier to find than .22 blanks.

 

[Cavalry]

I think the starter pistol confusion is from the 70's when "starter pistols" were being imported from Italy that were really functional pistols with removable barrel plugs.
If you have a modern starter pistol and use it for its intended purpose it is lawful.

 

[Zerex]

• Definition of a Firearm:
  New York law defines a firearm as any weapon, including a starter gun, designed to expel a projectile by an explosion.
  
  
• Permit Requirements:
  To legally possess or carry a starter pistol (which is considered a handgun), you need a valid New York State pistol permit.

 

[Robin]

This is NYSSR, there is probably a law written in such a way it would dwarf the Declaration of Independence and Constitution combines.
A tome for the ages!
Robin

 

[Jsmegs77]

My kids used to run cross country. Referee would use a starter pistol. How can they be considered a handgun for NYS law but still be allowed on school grounds, permit notwithstanding?

 

[dean3690]

I would assert that a starter "pistol" (actually a revolver) with a solid barrel is not "designed to expel a projectile by an explosion" and is therefore not a firearm or weapon. I would assert that only a starter pistol (actually a revolver) that is "designed to expel a projectile by an explosion" would be considered a firearm or weapon. I think that what Cavalry and Saltwater60 have to say makes sense, but we all know that NYS Law, especially when it comes to guns, seldom makes sense. I just asked the Staties their opinion (1-855-LAW-GUNS) and what they said is that a starter or dog training revolver that fires a 409 primer but is incapable of firing a projectile (solid cast "barrel" with no opening) is legal to possess in NYS without a pistol permit. I would assume that all pistols and revolvers that fire blanks or 209 primers with solid "barrels" would qualify if they are incapable of firing a projectile. That does not mean that some LEO won't try to arrest you for possession anyway.

I bought this 8 shot single action made in Italy starter revolver for a foot race fund raiser (0.5K fun run with carb loading stations) back in 2015.

 

[Zerex]

Carry one away from the track, in you pocket for menacing..............................

BOOM, in NYS.

Not my idea..........I had to put an 1860 BP revolver on my PP.

4473 now required for any firearm, primitive or not, in NYS.

 

[1341]

View attachment 265262

I was a high school softball game a couple of weeks ago, and when walking back from the restroom I walked by the track official who had a starter pistol in a holster. I had to do a double take because his starter pistol certainly didn't look like that. I swear it looked almost like a colt python or a sw model 19. Later when I heard it go off, a couple of people at the softball field were turning around at the sound.

 

[spat]

• Definition of a Firearm:
  New York law defines a firearm as any weapon, including a starter gun, designed to expel a projectile by an explosion.
  
  
• Permit Requirements:
  To legally possess or carry a starter pistol (which is considered a handgun), you need a valid New York State pistol permit.

"Designed to expel a projectile".

Modern starter pistols do not.

And the exception in the second bullet point, starter pistols that are not considered handguns (i.e. can't expel a projectile) are exempt.

 

[Saltwater60]

Carry one away from the track, in you pocket for menacing..............................

BOOM, in NYS.

Not my idea..........I had to put an 1860 BP revolver on my PP.

4473 now required for any firearm, primitive or not, in NYS.

It’s not a firearm through. That’s like saying cap gun is a pistol and needs to be added to your pistol permit/4473. They changed the law for all guns to be added to your permit even black power but this isn’t a gun because it cannot fire a projectile.