The National Rifle Association, Firearms Policy Coalition, Second Amendment Foundation, a New York firearms dealer, and two state residents filed a federal lawsuit on August 13 challenging New York's new restrictions on pistols the state defines as "convertible." The complaint in The Firing Pin, LLC v. James was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York. It asks for a declaration that the dealer restriction violates the Second Amendment and an injunction blocking enforcement. No court has ruled on those requests.

The restriction being challenged

Chapter 55 of the Laws of 2026, Part C, Subpart A was signed on May 27. According to the complaint, amended definitions take effect August 25, 2026, while the dealer and gunsmith prohibition applies beginning May 31, 2027. On and after that later date, Section 265.10(10) makes it a class D felony for a firearms dealer or gunsmith to sell, transfer, dispose of, transport, or ship as merchandise a "convertible pistol." The filing says a conviction can carry up to seven years in prison and a fine set by New York law.

The statute defines a convertible pistol as a semiautomatic pistol with a cruciform trigger bar that can be readily altered by hand or common household tools so a pistol converter can be installed or attached. It excludes hammer-fired semiautomatic pistols and striker-fired pistols without that trigger-bar design. A notch, tab, or other frame material does not prevent classification if it can be readily removed with household tools. The law separately defines the trigger bar by its linkage and cross-shaped sear surface.