Brady Celebrates the Passage of Francesco's Law to Promote Secure Firearm Storage in New York

The bill, named for a New York teen who died by suicide with an unsecured firearm, now awaits Gov. Kathy Hochul’s signature

ALBANY, NY, June 2, 2026 — Today, the New York Senate passed Francesco’s Law, which will mandate that any person who owns or is the custodian of a firearm, shotgun, or rifle must securely store it. Unsecured firearm storage increases the likelihood in homes of family fire, including unintentional shootings, firearm suicide of adults and children, and intentional shootings.

Led by Assemblymember Khaleel Anderson and Senator Erik Bottcher in the New York State Legislature, Francesco’s Law is named after 17-year-old Francesco, who suffered homophobic bullying and died by firearm suicide after gaining access to an unsecured gun. Earlier this morning, the Albany Times-Union published an opinion piece by Francesco’s mom, Diana Cochran, in which she wrote: “I cannot bring Francesco back. But this law can determine what happens to the next child in the next house. No child's worst moment should be met with an unsecured gun. That should be the law in New York — and the standard everywhere.”

Studies show that access to a gun triples the risk of death by suicide. In 75% of youth firearm suicides for which the gun storage method could be identified, the gun was stored loaded and unlocked. Nationwide, nearly 7 million children live in homes with unsecured firearms. This puts people, especially kids in danger, as unsecured firearms are associated with higher rates of unintentional shootings and firearm suicide. 

Brady President Kris Brown said:

When guns end up in the wrong hands – whether it be by a child, a person in crisis, or someone who cannot pass a background check – tragedy is on the horizon. Secure firearm storage is the number one way we can prevent these situations before they happen. New York has long been a leader in gun violence prevention, and Francesco’s law will continue that legacy by requiring all gun owners to safely store their firearms so that stories like Francesco’s are far less likely. Brady thanks Assemblymember Anderson and Senator Bottcher for their leadership and now calls on Gov. Hochul, who has been a stalwart gun violence prevention champion, to finish the tireless efforts of Francesco’s mother Diana – along with New York activists and New York legislators — and sign this bill into law.