Author Topic: More state gun control measures likely  (Read 1068 times)

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Offline Elderberry

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More state gun control measures likely
« on: February 09, 2019, 12:43:02 am »
Daily Gazette by John Cropley February 8, 2019

Following legislative passage last week of New York’s most ambitious gun control legislation in six years, advocates and opponents are arguing for and against additional controls.

The six new measures that will go before Gov. Andrew Cuomo for signature into law would, among other things, ban rapid-fire devices, allow courts to confiscate guns from people deemed dangerous and bar teachers from bringing guns into schools.

Cuomo has long advocated stronger gun control measures, and he hailed the passage of these measures, four of which he had listed on his own list of priorities for this year.

In remarks to gun-control advocates, the governor said: “I don’t want you to think that the job is over today because it is unfolding.”

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, D-Bronx, and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins also signaled support for additional gun control measures in comments to reporters.

New York's governors and its two top legislative leaders — often negotiating privately as the “Three Men In a Room” before Stewart-Cousins broke the gender barrier — have long held near-total control over passage of laws and allocation of spending in the state. Given their common interest, the stage is set for additional legislation.

The next gun control measure might well be a bill that would criminalize storage of unlocked guns in premises where children are present. It’s inspired by the 2010 shooting death in Wilton of 12-year-old Nicholas Naumkin by a friend playing with his father’s pistol. It expands on the 2013 SAFE Act, which requires gun owners to keep their firearms secured if they live with someone barred from owning guns.

The measure is co-sponsored by Heastie and Stewart-Cousins in their respective chambers and was moving through early stages of legislative review last week.

Rebecca Fischer, executive director of New Yorkers Against Gun Violence, said passage of the six proposed laws was a victory, and a safe-storage mandate is the next priority for her organization.

“We are extremely grateful for the leadership of the governor and the Legislature,” she said. “I think the fact that this package was passed so early in the session ... shows that gun violence prevention is a top priority in New York state.”

More: https://dailygazette.com/article/2019/02/04/state-will-likely-propose-additional-gun-control-measures