|
Assembly Passes Comprehensive Legislative Package To Protect Citizens And Law Enforcement From The Nightmare Of Gun Violence
Legislation Approved as April Marks First Anniversary of Virginia Tech, |
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Assembly Codes Committee Chair Joseph Lentol announced that the Assembly Monday approved a series of gun safety measures aimed at helping law enforcement officers track down illegal guns, keep guns out of the hands of felons and children, and ban advanced weaponry used to kill police officers. The 10-bill package has been passed by the Assembly for more than a decade. Additional provisions of the Assembly's comprehensive gun safety package would close several loopholes in state and federal procedures for licensing and regulating gun possession and also close mental health information loopholes. "Gun violence is an insidious threat that affects every community. From gang violence in the inner cities to domestic violence and accidental shootings in suburban and rural communities, no part of our state has been left untouched by gun violence," said Silver (D-Manhattan). "The Assembly Majority is once again advancing its comprehensive legislation to curb gun violence. These bills, some of which have been passed by the Assembly for more than a decade, represent a sound and responsible gun-safety plan. Far too many have suffered the deadly consequences of gun violence. We must take every step possible to dry up the sources of illegal gun trafficking." "We can get more illegal guns off our streets and save lives if the Senate will act on these critical measures. By ensuring we use technology to target law enforcement resources where they will be most effective, and by holding gun dealers accountable for their inventories, we can keep illegal guns off of the streets of New York," said Lentol (D-Brooklyn). "Each year, almost a thousand New York State residents die from gun shot wounds and hundreds more are maimed. Law enforcement officers on the front lines are particularly at risk every day from the many illegal guns that flood New York's streets. The Assembly has taken action on ten gun violence prevention bills. New Yorkers Against Gun Violence (NYAGV) praises their proactive approach and calls on the Senate to act by passing at least two measures that will take illegal guns off of our streets and save lives," said Jackie Hilly, NYAGV Executive Director.
Getting Vital Information on Who is Disqualified From Owning a Gun to Those Who Need That Information (A.8700-B/Lentol)
Cracking Down on Illegal Street Gun Trafficking (A.6525-A/Paulin;S.2404-B/Schneiderman) The bill, sponsored by Assemblywoman Amy Paulin (D-Scarsdale), requires stringent recordkeeping and reporting to prevent gun sales to criminals. Additionally, under the terms of the legislation, gun dealers must implement a security plan, require employee training and prevent access to guns by minors. "We have a duty to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and by passing this common-sense measure. Passing these important measures moves us one step closer to protecting all New Yorkers from gun violence," said Paulin.
Microstamping (A.9819-A/Schimel) "The crime-solving potential of microstamping technology is enormous. This next generation crime-fighting tool will aid law enforcement in investigating, arresting, and convicting more perpetrators of gun-related crimes, and will help victims of gun violence and their families obtain some degree of justice," said Schimel.
Banning Armor-Piercing Ammunition (A.3447/Koon;S.2002/Padavan) "We owe our law enforcement officers the highest level of protection against lethal ammunition, and this legislation will do just that. With more than 140 police and sheriff departments supporting this common-sense measure, now is the time for the Senate to pass these bills and further protect those who protect us," said Koon (D/I-Perinton).
Tracking Guns Involved In Crimes (A.3451/Koon;S.3009/Robach)
The Children's Weapon Accident Prevention Act (A.76-A/Weisenberg) "No responsible gun owner should object to my legislation, when we know that approximately one third of all gun-related deaths involving children could have been prevented by simply locking up guns and ammunition. The Assembly has overwhelmingly approved this life saving measure for the past 15 years. I fervently hope that this is the year my colleagues in the Senate, as well as the governor, finally join with us to end these needless tragedies. Its enactment is long overdue," said Weisenberg.
Childproofing Firearms (A.829/Englebright;S.7556/Sampson) "It's important to take every precaution to protect our children from the accidental discharge of a firearm. By requiring simple and inexpensive gun design changes that already exist, we hope to eventually eliminate the all too frequent tragic gun accidents," said Englebright.
Disguised Guns (A2868/Lentol;S.3868/C.Johnson)
Stopping Assault Weapons (A.7331-A/Titone) "We need to do more to protect our families and the brave men and women in law enforcement who put themselves in danger on a daily basis," Titone (D-Staten Island) said. "By moving forward with this bill we are taking an important step to keep illegal guns out of the hands of criminals, whose only intention with these killing machines is to maim and murder."
Banning 50-Caliber Weapons (A.2772-A/Eddington;S2411-A/Schneiderman) "The gun lobby argues that these weapons are used only for hunting and target shooting. The fact is crimes involving .50-caliber guns hit close to home. Just recently in Nassau County, two dozen gang members were arrested and authorities seized their arsenal of weapons which included a .50-caliber sniper rifle. There is no civilian use for these dangerous guns and I hope Senate Republicans will put the safety of our families first and act quickly to pass this common-sense measure," Eddington (WFP/D-Medford) said. "New York's gun laws will only go so far to curb gun violence so long as the patchwork of state laws across our nation continues to create loopholes that allow vast quantities of weapons to be purchased legally and transported elsewhere. The Assembly Majority is not advocating that the state take firearms away from licensed and law-abiding citizens. All we are asking for is sensible gun policies that prevent accidents and save lives," said Silver. |
New York State Assembly [ Welcome Page ] [ Press Releases ] |