“Toughest gun control package in the nation” passes in Albany.
In what’s being described as a “quick action”, the New York state legislature has passed the most restrictive gun control laws in the United States. In addition to further restricting design styles on rifles, including a complete ban on rifles with a pistol-style grip, it mandates that no magazine may hold more than seven rounds, down from the current ten. It remains to be seen whether manufacturers will design and sell seven-round magazines for use in New York state, or whether this will be a de facto ban on all weapons using a magazine.
Private sales of assault weapons to someone other than an immediate family would be subject to a background check through a dealer. Also Internet sales of assault weapons would be banned, and failing to safely store a weapon could be subject to a misdemeanor charge.
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In another provision, a therapist who believes a mental health patient made a credible threat to use a gun illegally would be required to report the incident to a mental health director who would have to report serious threats to the state Department of Criminal Justice Services. A patient’s gun could be taken from him or her.
The legislation also increases sentences for gun crimes including the shooting of a first responder that Cuomo called the “Webster provision.” Last month in the western New York town of Webster, two firefighters were killed after responding to a fire set by the shooter, who eventually killed himself.
Will this be the change in gun control law that finally makes a difference, or not? Let us know your opinion in comments.
Photo—crazyad0boy/Flickr
Just saw the governor talk highlights of the bill including: background checks on private sales, 7 bullets, state wide handgun database. Wouldnt it also make sense to look at why these gunmen commited these acts and go about getting help for people. People who want to commit crimes dont bulk at the thought of there actions being bad or not having the easist time getting tools for their crimes.
I think drinking alcohol should be legal but I heard that there is something called “Demon Rum” and that it is bad, so we should ban that. But ordinary Rum is OK…
Also, I think we should ban the sale of beer in 12 Packs. That just has to be more intoxicating that 6 packs.
This will mean nothing to eliminating gun violence…
Again it does squat to stop illegal guns.
Doing away with pistol grips is akin to banning flat brim ball caps, because inner city thugs wear those, and can probably be challenge on ADA grounds…
I love the last point. Can you expand on it a little more?
@rick – kinesthically a pistol grip is more accessable, especially to an older guy with arthritic hands and wrists..
Banning pistol grips? Yeah because that matters a lot in the scheme of things. Gotta love knee-jerk stupidity. It’s ohhh so harrrddd to quickly change a magazine, like omg 1-2 seconds.
If only they spent this much time addressing mental health, stopping poverty n gang violence they might actually accomplish something? A killer will use any tool available, why not just force everyone to use bolt action rifles with no magazines, and double action pistols again if they want to slow the firing rate down?
Classic. This is why gun rights advocates deride gun control advocates in politics as incompetent, ignorant, bumbling fools ruled by their emotions. No one who knows anything whatsoever about guns will be impressed by this. The difference with the pistol grip is 100% a cosmetic difference. It is entirely, completely, unambiguously a question of “I’m scared because it looks scary so it should be illegal.” A rifle with the pistol grip is no more dangerous than a rifle without one, nor is it more viable as an option for mass murder. It simply looks military. That’s it. I cannot express… Read more »
Too quick action is more like it. They gave legislators 20 minutes to read it before voting. It bans everything over 7 rounds, which is going to make every handgun except revolvers and 1911’s illegal, so it will face legal challenges. Manufacturers don’t make 7 round magazines, meaning anyone that uses a handgun for self-defense is now stuck without. This will get back to the Supreme Court, because it’s effectively a ban. They still haven’t listed what they’re classifying as an assault weapon since they don’t exist. The characteristics of the previous bans included some commonly used for self-defense and… Read more »