New York State’s “Concealed Carry Improvement Act,” passed in July 2022, had a lot of fine print – including the all-but-prohibition of historical reproduction firearms (those used for historical reenactments).

Text on the sixteenth page makes the possession of any kind of firearm a felony at what are now defined as “sensitive locations,” which include parks, schools and any municipality where all present do not express their consent to the presence of firearms. This stipulation effectively bans reenacting events at New York state forts, museums, state parks, and in villages -- events that, over the decades, have drawn hundreds of people and brought thousands of dollars to their respective communities. 

These newly-defined “sensitive locations” make exceptions for members of law enforcement, active duty military, and those engaged in “lawful hunting activity or education." 

Education of the community through living history, which includes the safe display and usage of firearms are an integral part of reenacting, no matter the era portrayed. Few events exist with firearm safety and discipline taken as seriously as these principles are in historical reenacting.

There is no logical reason that the use of firearms at historical reenactments for these purposes cannot be granted the same exception as many others already are.

Sign this petition to show your support for the protection of firearms at historical reenactments of all eras in the state of New York.