NY S04277

Bans possession of 50 caliber weapons, defined as rifles capable of firing center-fire cartridges of 50 caliber or greater, or projectiles attaining muzzle energy of 12,000 foot-pounds or greater

Requires owners of existing 50 caliber weapons to register them with the Superintendent of State Police within one year, with recertification required every five years

Exempts permanently inoperable weapons, antique firearms, weapons manufactured at least 50 years ago, muzzle-loading rifles, and weapons issued to qualified retired law enforcement officers

Makes possession of an unregistered 50 caliber weapon a class D felony, and knowing failure to register a class A misdemeanor

Establishes a buyback program allowing owners to surrender used 50 caliber weapons to state police for fair market value up to $8,500, and requires dealers to return new inventory to distributors for full refunds within 30 days