Remarks by Speaker Sheldon Silver

Press Conference Announcing Gun Control Legislative Package

Speaker's Conference Room
Monday, March 15, 2004

Audio Excerpt 1 (25 seconds) Audio Excerpt 2 (20 seconds) Audio Excerpt 3 (20 seconds) View Transcription

Today, we're here to announce that the Assembly Majority is expected to take action on a seven-bill package of gun-control legislation that is intended to:

• Reduce the number of illegal guns in our communities;
• Help prevent victims of domestic violence from later becoming victims of gun violence;
• And safeguard our children by mandating the safe storage of firearms.

Standing with me in support of this legislation is a host of Assembly Majority members, including the sponsors of these bills.

Joining us to lend their support to our legislative package is:

• Andy Pelosi, the Executive Director of New Yorkers Against Gun Violence.

With him are:

• Board Members Barbara Hohlt and Joan Wallstein;
• Public Policy Director, Jackie Kuhls;
• Honorary Board Member Richard Wooding;
• And Ken Scott, a faculty advisor representing the College of Saint Rose's Chapter of the New Yorkers Against Gun Violence. With Ken Scott are Saint Rose students Greg Young and Maggie Zmuda.

We are also honored to be joined by:

• Edie Smith, our State Council President for the Million Mom March;
• Pat Gioia, representing the Capital District Crime Victims' Coalition and the New York State Parents of Murdered Children;
• Barbara Bartoletti and Aimee Allaud, representing the New York State League of Women Voters;
• Barbara DiTomasso, representing the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany;
• And Elie Ward, Executive Director of Statewide Youth Advocacy.

The seven bills that comprise our "gun package" are listed in our press release.

There you will find the bill numbers, the names of the bill sponsors, and a brief explanation of each piece of legislation.

Every day in this country, approximately eighty people die as a result of accidents, homicides and suicides involving guns. Frankly, there is no safe haven when it comes to gun violence.

The murder last summer of New York City Council Member James Davis - who was shot dead in the Council's City Hall Chambers - is but one of the many terrible demonstrations of that fact.

We recognize that there are many responsible gun owners in this state and that there are legitimate purposes for possessing a gun. Law enforcement and hunting being two such legitimate purposes. However, we must also make sure that guns are used responsibly and safely. So, we must crack down HARD on criminals who traffic in illegal firearms.

Basic common sense dictates that we keep guns out of the hands of convicted, violent felons and those who have proven to be prone to violence; that we keep guns out of the reach of children, and make guns as child-proof as we possibly can.

Common sense dictates that we ensure owners are educated as to proper gun usage and proper gun storage, and that we limit the ability to acquire military weapons which could be used to cause large-scale destruction.

Unless you are in the Armed Forces, there is no compelling need for anyone to own a fifty-caliber weapon; a weapon powerful enough to bring down an airplane and pierce armor-plated vehicles and bullet-proof vests.

Let me cite a paragraph from an article entitled: ".50-Caliber Sniper Rifles Pose Threat to Civil Aviation." This article appeared in Air Safety Week, an award-winning newsletter devoted exclusively to news and analysis of air safety.

And I quote: "These weapons pack a deadly wallop from ranges upwards of a thousand yards.

The thumb-sized bullets, which come in armor-piercing and incendiary variants, can punch through aircraft fuselages, fuel tanks and engines. The weapon's accuracy and striking power make it possible to wreck several million dollars worth of jet aircraft with a few dollars worth of ammunition."

I think that's reason enough to ban .50 caliber weapons in this State and throughout the nation.

Over the years, we have seen progress when it comes to sensible gun control.

In May of 1999, we announced a thirteen-bill package of gun legislation. Many of the bills, such as Ari's Law and the assault weapon ban, are now part of the laws of the State of New York.

We encourage the Governor and our colleagues in the Senate to study these seven bills and to join us in better protecting all New Yorkers - particularly our law enforcement officers - from the continuing scourge of gun violence.