A new law passed by the New York State Legislature could effectively prohibit trap shooting contests at sportsmen’s clubs and high schools across the state beginning Sept. 1, 2022.
The legislation, approved on July 1, establishes a series of “sensitive locations” where firearms are prohibited. Under the law’s current wording, sporting events are included among those locations, raising concerns that organized trap shooting competitions and practices would become illegal.
Several high school trap teams would be affected, including programs from Wayland-Cohocton, Honeoye Falls-Lima, Caledonia, Gowanda, and others that regularly hold competitions at local sportsmen’s clubs. In addition, many sportsmen’s clubs host trap shooting contests and offer target practice for members, activities that could also fall under the ban.
Assemblymember Marjorie Byrnes said the law broadly defines sensitive locations and does not provide exceptions for sporting events that involve firearms.
“The law establishes sensitive locations where no one can possess a firearm, with limited exceptions for police, retired law enforcement, active military, and a few others,” Byrnes said. “The list includes places for entertainment, gaming, or sporting events. There is no carve-out for sporting events that use firearms, such as trap, skeet, or sporting clays.”
During legislative debate, questions were raised about whether high school trap shooting would be permitted. According to Byrnes, the bill’s sponsor indicated that unless the activity fell under a specific exception, it would be considered a sensitive location. Subsequent inquiries to the State Police reportedly did not result in clarification.
Based on the law’s language, firearms, rifles, and shotguns would not be allowed at any sporting event classified as a sensitive location, creating uncertainty for trap shooting programs statewide.
The change caught many local participants by surprise, including students, coaches, and sportsmen’s club members who use the facilities for competitions and seasonal practice tied to hunting preparation.
In response, community members have begun organizing opposition efforts. In Springwater, a petition circulated through social media quickly gathered more than 1,100 signatures within days, calling on state officials to amend the law to protect high school trap shooting and sportsmen’s club activities.
As of now, no formal clarification or amendment has been announced, leaving schools and clubs uncertain about how the law will be enforced once it takes effect.
