New York Passes Historic ‘Common Sense’ Gun Control Laws
New York lawmakers passed sweeping "common sense" gun control bills.
On Tuesday, the Democrat-controlled New York Legislature passed a series of bills which lawmakers say will make the state's gun laws even stricter.
“It seems like every day we wake up to headlines of another mass shooting, another horrific gun crime,” Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said in a press release. “The madness has to stop. It is our responsibility to protect our communities, our schools, and to keep all of New Yorkers safe. Following years of inaction on common sense gun safety legislation, we are finally going to lead the way and serve as an example to the nation on smart gun laws.”
According to a press release, the legislation passed by the Senate includes:
Extreme Risk Protection Orders: Allows law enforcement officials, family and household members and certain school officials to seek a court order requiring a person likely to harm themselves or others to relinquish any firearms in their possession.
Effective Background Check Act: Establishes an extension of time up to thirty calendar days for national in-state background checks.
Bump Stock Ban: Prohibits the possession of a device that accelerates the rate of fire of a firearm.
Preventing School Districts from Allowing Teachers to be Armed: Prevents K-12 schools from authorizing anyone other than a security officer, school resource officer, or law enforcement officer to carry a firearm on school grounds.
Gun Buy Backs: Directs the State Police to devise regulations for gun buyback programs so that all buyback programs across the state are operated consistently with uniform best practices.
Out of State Mental Health Records: Will require out-of-state applicants for gun permits to allow New York permitting authorities to review out-of-state mental health records.
“Today New York rejected the gun lobby and embraced common sense," Senator Brad Hoylman said. "For decades, we have watched as mass shooting after mass shooting failed to spur change in Washington. While the federal government sits on its hands, we will not let the next Parkland or Sandy Hook happen on our watch. These tragedies are preventable--and the first step is to keep guns out of the hands of violent and dangerous people."
Gun rights supporters aren't happy with the new legislation.
"It's a violation of their Second Amendment rights and these are lawful gun owners who are not committing the crimes," Tom King, president of the New York State Rifle and Pistol Association and a National Rifle Association board member, said to ABC.
- 'Dangerous Snow Squall' Will Impact Hudson Valley Evening Commute
- Deadly Polar Vortex is Making its Way to New York
- New York Passes Historic 'Common Sense' Gun Control Laws
- Hudson Valley School Bus Driver Admits to Sexually Abusing Child
- MGM Set To Open Huge Casino in Hudson Valley
- Hudson Valley Man Killed in Drive-by Shooting, 4 Arrested
- Two Raped and Sexual Assaulted Teen in Hudson Valley
- Road Collapses in Hudson Valley