NYC Poised to Require Graphic Gun Warning Labels in Gun Shops Amid Ongoing Gun Violence Concerns
The New York City Council is set to pass legislation requiring gun shops across the city to display graphic warning labels on firearms, cautioning against keeping guns at home. The move comes as the city grapples with a Supreme Court decision that expanded concealed carry rights and despite recent dips in shootings.
Currently, state law already mandates written warnings be issued with firearm permits or licenses, highlighting the increased risk of suicide and accidental death associated with gun ownership at home. However, under the proposed bill, authorized gun owners will also receive graphic images illustrating these risks.
According to City Councilmember Erik Bottcher, who introduced the legislation, "I can't think of a deadlier consumer product that has no warning for consumers at the point of purchase." Bottcher asserts that guns are responsible for tens of thousands of deaths annually and pose a significantly higher risk to individuals within the home compared to self-defense.
The city's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene will design, post, and enforce the display of these images, with penalties ranging from $5,000 for a first offense to $10,000 for subsequent offenses within 12 months.
Bottcher is confident in the effectiveness of this approach, citing that public health messages accompanied by images have greater impact. Over 30 councilmembers have signed on as co-sponsors, ensuring the bill's passage.
The city has already expressed support for the legislation, with a written statement from City Hall and law enforcement agencies acknowledging their backing. New York is renowned for its stringent gun laws and ongoing firearm safety initiatives, further underscoring its commitment to reducing gun violence.
				
			The New York City Council is set to pass legislation requiring gun shops across the city to display graphic warning labels on firearms, cautioning against keeping guns at home. The move comes as the city grapples with a Supreme Court decision that expanded concealed carry rights and despite recent dips in shootings.
Currently, state law already mandates written warnings be issued with firearm permits or licenses, highlighting the increased risk of suicide and accidental death associated with gun ownership at home. However, under the proposed bill, authorized gun owners will also receive graphic images illustrating these risks.
According to City Councilmember Erik Bottcher, who introduced the legislation, "I can't think of a deadlier consumer product that has no warning for consumers at the point of purchase." Bottcher asserts that guns are responsible for tens of thousands of deaths annually and pose a significantly higher risk to individuals within the home compared to self-defense.
The city's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene will design, post, and enforce the display of these images, with penalties ranging from $5,000 for a first offense to $10,000 for subsequent offenses within 12 months.
Bottcher is confident in the effectiveness of this approach, citing that public health messages accompanied by images have greater impact. Over 30 councilmembers have signed on as co-sponsors, ensuring the bill's passage.
The city has already expressed support for the legislation, with a written statement from City Hall and law enforcement agencies acknowledging their backing. New York is renowned for its stringent gun laws and ongoing firearm safety initiatives, further underscoring its commitment to reducing gun violence.
 . Gun laws are already pretty strict in NYC, but these new warning labels could make a big difference - imagine seeing those graphic images when you're buying a gun... it's almost like being forced to confront reality
. Gun laws are already pretty strict in NYC, but these new warning labels could make a big difference - imagine seeing those graphic images when you're buying a gun... it's almost like being forced to confront reality  . I think its great that the city council is taking this step, even if some might say its too little, too late. The fact that public health messages with images can have such an impact is pretty mind-blowing btw
. I think its great that the city council is taking this step, even if some might say its too little, too late. The fact that public health messages with images can have such an impact is pretty mind-blowing btw  . Let's hope more cities follow suit and create a safer environment for everyone
. Let's hope more cities follow suit and create a safer environment for everyone 
 The thing is, I'm all for warning labels on guns, but this seems like a whole lot of extra regulation to me
 The thing is, I'm all for warning labels on guns, but this seems like a whole lot of extra regulation to me  . Like, can't the owners just get the message that they need to keep their guns locked away or something? Do we really need graphic images on every gun display? It feels like they're trying to be too 'preachy' about it
. Like, can't the owners just get the message that they need to keep their guns locked away or something? Do we really need graphic images on every gun display? It feels like they're trying to be too 'preachy' about it  . And what's with the penalties? $5k for a first offense?
. And what's with the penalties? $5k for a first offense?  That sounds more like a fine than actual regulation
 That sounds more like a fine than actual regulation 
 and we need to take action. but graphic images? that's just plain weird
 and we need to take action. but graphic images? that's just plain weird  . can't they just put up a sign that says ' guns are deadly'? or something? this whole 'public health messages with images' vibe feels like it's more about scaring people than actually solving the problem
. can't they just put up a sign that says ' guns are deadly'? or something? this whole 'public health messages with images' vibe feels like it's more about scaring people than actually solving the problem  . plus, what if some ppl don't wanna see the pics? shouldn't we be respecting their choice not to know?
. plus, what if some ppl don't wanna see the pics? shouldn't we be respecting their choice not to know?  think it's already pretty clear that guns at home are no joke, but do we really need to resort to horror movie style pics?
 think it's already pretty clear that guns at home are no joke, but do we really need to resort to horror movie style pics?  also, what's up with the $10k fine for non-compliance? is that gonna deter people from buying guns or just drive them underground?
 also, what's up with the $10k fine for non-compliance? is that gonna deter people from buying guns or just drive them underground?  . They'll just take their guns elsewhere, or worse, try to pass off these labels as propaganda
. They'll just take their guns elsewhere, or worse, try to pass off these labels as propaganda  . And what about free speech, man? Are we just gonna chill on that
. And what about free speech, man? Are we just gonna chill on that  . I'm all for reducing gun violence, but let's not overdo it with the censorship
. I'm all for reducing gun violence, but let's not overdo it with the censorship  .
.

 ! I mean, think about it - people buying guns without even realizing the risks involved? It's just crazy
! I mean, think about it - people buying guns without even realizing the risks involved? It's just crazy  . These graphic images are gonna be super effective at discouraging people from bringing guns into their homes and using them to hurt themselves or others. And let's be real, every life lost due to gun violence is a tragedy
. These graphic images are gonna be super effective at discouraging people from bringing guns into their homes and using them to hurt themselves or others. And let's be real, every life lost due to gun violence is a tragedy  .
. . $5,000 to $10,000 in fines for non-compliance? That's a good start
. $5,000 to $10,000 in fines for non-compliance? That's a good start  .
. I know some ppl might think it's too much but like... gun violence is a major issue here and we need to take action!
 I know some ppl might think it's too much but like... gun violence is a major issue here and we need to take action!  . 30+ council members are on board w this & law enforcement is all in too
. 30+ council members are on board w this & law enforcement is all in too  . NYC is like the leader when it comes to gun laws & safety, so if anyone can make a difference it's them
. NYC is like the leader when it comes to gun laws & safety, so if anyone can make a difference it's them  thinkin people need 2 see the real risks of havin guns at home, ya know? 30+ councilmembers signed on as co-sponsors, that's a lot of peeps who agree wit this
 thinkin people need 2 see the real risks of havin guns at home, ya know? 30+ councilmembers signed on as co-sponsors, that's a lot of peeps who agree wit this  . and let's be real, graphic images can't hurt, right?
. and let's be real, graphic images can't hurt, right? 
 it's heartbreaking to think about all the families who have lost loved ones to gun violence.
 it's heartbreaking to think about all the families who have lost loved ones to gun violence.  the city's already got a pretty strict approach to gun ownership so maybe these new labels will start some conversations
 the city's already got a pretty strict approach to gun ownership so maybe these new labels will start some conversations  about responsible gun ownership and the risks involved
 about responsible gun ownership and the risks involved  5k fines for not displaying them seems kinda steep tho
 5k fines for not displaying them seems kinda steep tho 
 It's time for some honesty in advertising. I hope those gun shop owners don't try to get around it by hiding the labels or something
 It's time for some honesty in advertising. I hope those gun shop owners don't try to get around it by hiding the labels or something  . The $5k to $10k fine is a good deterrent.
. The $5k to $10k fine is a good deterrent.
 i'm not gonna lie, when i first heard about this bill i was skeptical but now i'm like, yeah this is exactly what we need. Erik Bottcher is a total hero
 i'm not gonna lie, when i first heard about this bill i was skeptical but now i'm like, yeah this is exactly what we need. Erik Bottcher is a total hero 

 . Those graphic warning labels will definitely make you think twice before bringing that firearm into your home
. Those graphic warning labels will definitely make you think twice before bringing that firearm into your home  . And it's not like they're going to stop people who are law-abiding citizens from owning guns... just those with guns at home
. And it's not like they're going to stop people who are law-abiding citizens from owning guns... just those with guns at home 

 . We need more eyes on these guns, especially when it comes to people keepin' 'em at home. I mean, we know the stats, tens of thousands of deaths every year... that's not somethin' we should be sweepin' under the rug. The graphic labels might be uncomfortable to see, but they're exactly what's needed to get some folks thinkin' twice before buyin' a gun.
. We need more eyes on these guns, especially when it comes to people keepin' 'em at home. I mean, we know the stats, tens of thousands of deaths every year... that's not somethin' we should be sweepin' under the rug. The graphic labels might be uncomfortable to see, but they're exactly what's needed to get some folks thinkin' twice before buyin' a gun. . We need more initiatives like this to keep our city safe
. We need more initiatives like this to keep our city safe