Have Questions? Contact Us.
Since its inception, NYCLA has been at the forefront of most legal debates in the country. We have provided legal education for more than 40 years.
NYCLA Issues Statement on Recent Progress in the Senate on Gun Regulation Commends Governor Hochul on New York State Gun Safety Bill
statement-letter
NYCLA Issues Statement on Recent Progress in the Senate on Gun Regulation Commends Governor Hochul on New York State Gun Safety Bill
Statements & Letters
Published On:
Jun 06, 2022
OFFICIAL STATEMENT
June 6, 2022
Contact: Toni Valenti
New York County Lawyers Association Issues Statement on
Recent Progress in the Senate on Gun Regulation
Commends Governor Hochul on New York State Gun Safety Bill
The New York County Lawyers Association (NYCLA), which represents 7500 attorneys, today issued the following statement:
We want to compliment the bipartisan group of Senators for arriving at an understanding on how to move forward with gun legislation. NYCLA has been a continuous and long-term supporter of sensible gun regulation, to protect against violent crime, mass shootings and other forms of gun violence that, unfortunately, pervade our society. While the proposed legislation does not include all the gun safety measures we have supported in the past, and although it is still far from being passed into law, every journey begins with a single step. This is undoubtedly a step in the right direction. When we have more guns than people in the United States, the problems presented by gun violence cannot be eliminated overnight.
The core features of the bipartisan agreement would create enhanced background checks for persons aged 18-21 when they buy guns; increase funding and provide support to states that adopt “red flag” laws; provide funds for school security to help avoid more Sandy Hooks and Uvaldes; enhance funding for state mental health services and close the “boyfriend loophole”, making it easier to take away guns from those with a history of domestic violence and restraining orders. There is so much more we can and should be doing, but this is at least a small start, and it is the first significant act of bipartisanship in the arena of gun safety in a long time.
We also want to compliment Governor Hochul and the New York State Legislature for enacting their own gun safety bill. Highlights of that bill include raising the age to purchase semi-automatic rifles from 18 to 21; enhancing New York’s “red flag” laws; requiring micro-stamping of pistols to enable forensic tracking of the specific pistol from which a round of ammunition was fired; prohibiting general use of body armor; and prohibiting certain large capacity ammunition devices. Each of these provisions goes beyond what is in the federal bill. In fact, New York has long had stricter gun safety laws than the federal government (including many measures that NYCLA has long supported).
NYCLA stands ready to contribute its thoughts and expertise to the continuing state and federal efforts to promote gun safety.
About the New York County Lawyers Association
The New York County Lawyers Association (www.nycla.org) was founded in 1908 as one of the first major bar associations in the country that admitted members without regard to race, ethnicity, religion or gender, and has a long history of supporting the rights of LGBTQ+ people. Since its inception, NYCLA has pioneered some of the most far-reaching and tangible reforms in American jurisprudence. For more information on NYCLA please visit nycla.org.
###