Assemblyman Dave McDonough (R,C,I-Merrick) today proudly welcomed the signing of a new law that will prohibit criminals convicted of domestic violence misdemeanors from purchasing firearms. McDonough, co-sponsor of the bill and a member of the Nassau County Task Force on Domestic Violence, noted that this legislation will provide much-needed protection to keep firearms away from violent criminals and help prevent these types of heartless activities in the future.

“All too often in today’s news we read about the tragic consequences of domestic violence,” said McDonough. “This bill prohibits domestic violence criminals from obtaining firearms and will protect the public from those who have inflicted damage in the past. As a co-sponsor, this bill is personally important to me as I continue to work with my colleagues to make Long Island a safer place to live. I commend Governor Cuomo for his leadership in signing this important community safety measure.”

Felons already are barred from buying pistols, rifles, guns, and other firearms. Federal law prohibits gun ownership by anyone with a misdemeanor conviction stemming from domestic violence, but there has been a gap in reporting the crime from New York. Under the new law, when a defendant is convicted of a domestic violence misdemeanor offense in New York, the court will determine whether the crime is related to the federal domestic violence statute, and if so, transmit the defendant’s information to the Division of Criminal Justice Services and on to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, preventing this individual from buying a firearm in the future.