Governor Hochul claims gun violence in New York State is down 47% since she took office
ALBANY, NY- Governor Kathy Hochul’s Office claims that gun violence across New York State is down nearly 50% since she took office.
“Gun violence is an epidemic that is tearing our country apart. Thoughts and prayers won't fix this, but taking strong action will,” the Governor said.
“That's why in New York, we're taking bold steps to protect the people of our State. I am proud to sign this bill package that will help enhance safety across New York. While we are taking expedient action to enhance New York State's nation-leading gun laws, we recognize that gun violence is a nationwide problem. I once again urge Congress to follow our lead and take immediate action to pass meaningful gun violence prevention measures. Lives depend on it.”
Hochul also signed a legislative package this week, including six bills, aimed to strengthen New York’s nation-leading gun laws by requiring gun sellers to post tobacco-style safety warnings, taking action against dangerous “pistol convertors” and providing other new tools and resources to help protect more New Yorkers from gun violence.
See full list below:
Legislation S6649/A2882 requires firearms dealers and gunsmiths to post warnings at sites where firearms are sold and distribute warnings at the time of sale. These warnings must state that firearms increase the risk of suicide, death during domestic disputes and/or unintentional death to children.
Legislation S7365B/A10053A adds the definition of “pistol converter” to Penal Law Section 265.00, which details definitions relating to firearms. Pistol converter is defined as a device that can be attached to the slide of a semi-automatic pistol and interfere with the trigger mechanism, allowing the user to discharge a number of shots rapidly or automatically with one continuous pull of the trigger. The legislation also amends General Business Law to require the gun industry to take “reasonable steps” to prevent the installation and use of pistol converters on their products.
Legislation S3340/A5873 requires the court to notify the statewide registry of orders of protection and warrants when a temporary and/or final extreme risk protection order (ERPO) is issued, ensuring that ERPOs are tracked in the statewide registry of orders of protection and warrants.
Legislation A7717B/S8589A allows police agencies instead of individual police officers to be listed as the petitioner in an ERPO proceeding.
Legislation S8479A/A9862A requires credit and debit card issuers to use the firearms and ammunition retailers merchant category code (MCC) created by the International Organization for Standardization in 2022 for businesses whose highest sales value is from the combined sale of firearms, firearms accessories, or ammunition, and it empowers the State Attorney General to bring an enforcement action for any violation that is not cured within 30 days, which can result in fines up to $10,000 for noncompliance. New York becomes the third state, joining California and Colorado, to enact this requirement.
Legislation S9760/A10356A requires a firearms licensing officer, upon the issuance of a license, to provide information about statewide resources related to safe storage of firearms, child access prevention and firearm violence prevention, as well as information on specific county and local laws and regulations related to child access prevention and safe storage of firearms. The legislation also requires the State to develop and implement a public awareness campaign regarding safe storage and child access prevention, requires those materials to be provided in digital format and available online, and mandates they be updated annually.
The Governor highlighted that law enforcement agencies statewide have seized over 7,700 illegal guns so far this year, including 569 ghost guns.
Additionally, courts across New York have utilized the State’s Red Flag law to issue over 22,000 extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs) to date, with over 90 percent of them after Governor Hochul partnered with the Legislature to strengthen the State’s Red Flag law following the racially motivated murders at the Tops supermarket in the spring of 2022.
Image via the office of New York Governor Kathy Hochul.
