New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D) on Monday signed 10 gun-related bills that would prohibit people under the age of 21 from buying or possessing a semi-automatic rifle, ban the purchase of body armor for most civilians and Will strengthen the state’s red flag laws. other provisions.
The historic package is one of the state’s first major efforts to pass new gun control legislation after mass shootings across the country, including the deadly massacre that killed 21 people – 19 of whom were young children – in Uvalde, Texas, last month. There was a mass shooting in New York just days before a gunman opened fire at a grocery store in a predominantly black neighborhood in Buffalo. The shooter killed 10 people in what officials described as “hate-filled domestic terrorism”.
Democrats in the New York Legislature last week approved a 10-bill package of gun legislation. The law would also mandate microstamping on some new firearms to help officers solve gun-related crimes.
“I am speaking to you today as the governor of a state in mourning and as a citizen of a beleaguered nation. For the past few weeks, we are overcome with grief, heartache, anger,” Hochul said on Monday. “In New York, we’re taking bold, strong action. We’re tightening red flag laws to keep guns away from dangerous people. And we’re raising the age of semi-automatic weapons so that any 18-year-old can celebrate his birthday. Couldn’t walk out with an AR-15. Those days are over.”
The passage of the law was welcomed by gun reform groups.
Brady: “These bills are common sense,” Chris Brown, president of United Against Gun Violence, said in a statement. “They will address gun violence in all its forms and do so while respecting the Second Amendment rights of residents. This package of laws will help keep New Yorkers safe and set a clear example for the rest of the country to stop gun violence.” Is.
Democrats in Congress have been trying to pass some semblance of gun reform since the mass shootings, but have struggled to implement any major proposals that would sweep the Senate with a narrow, 50-50 majority of Democrats. (for which Vice President Kamala Harris holds the tie-breaking vote). A bipartisan group of senators is working on a modest effort that would include background checks for gun purchases.
Hochul said Monday that New York would continue to work to rein in gun violence, urging Congress to follow the state’s lead “and take immediate action to pass meaningful gun violence prevention measures.”
“Thoughts and prayers won’t fix it,” she said. “But will take stern action. And we will do this in the name of those who are lost.”
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