Albany County Raises Flare Gun Purchase Age to 21

Flare gun and spare shells isolated on black

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In response to recent incidents involving flare guns, Albany County has increased the purchase age for these devices from 18 to 21. The decision follows a series of violent events over the Fourth of July weekend, where minors reportedly used flare guns, leading to property damage and injuries. One such incident involved a flare gun being fired during a fight, causing a fire on Madison Avenue that destroyed two buildings.

Albany County Executive Dan McCoy announced the age restriction on Tuesday (October 10), emphasizing the potential dangers of flare guns, which are intended as emergency signaling devices but can cause harm if misused. According to CBS6 Albany, there have been instances where flare guns were modified to fire bullets or shotgun ammunition.

The legislative effort to curb flare gun misuse is also supported by New York State lawmakers. Senator Patricia Fahy and Assemblymember Gabriella Romero introduced bills to prohibit the sale of flare guns to individuals under 21 and to criminalize their use as weapons. The bills aim to address a growing trend of flare guns being used in crimes, including assaults and robberies.

Albany County District Attorney Lee Kindlon highlighted the severity of the issue, stating, "We’ve seen the damage a flare gun has when fired at property. Imagine what could have happened if the flare hit an innocent person." The county's decision aligns with broader efforts to enhance public safety and prevent further misuse of flare guns.


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