White Plains CitizeNetReporter - David Buchwald Explains New NY Gun Law Passed Today

WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. From NY Assembly District 93 Assemblyman David Buchwald. January 15, 2013 UPDATED 10:45 P.M. E.S.T.: Assemblyman David Buchwald helped passed the landmark New York Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act of 2013 (NY SAFE ACT), just passed early Tuesday afternoon, supported by Governor Cuomo. Governor Cuomo signed the bill into law in late afternoon. In light of recent acts of gun violence in our state and around the country, this legislation gives New York State the most comprehensive set of gun laws in the nation, Mr. Buchwald reports: Assemblyman Buchwald Comprehensive Gun-Safety Measures The Assembly’s legislation would strengthen New York’s existing assault weapons ban. In addition, clips with the capacity to hold more than 7 rounds can no longer be sold in the state. There would also be a grandfather clause for current owners of legal semi-automatic weapons, provided they register those weapons with the state police, renew the registration every 5 years, and undergo a background check. WPCNR asked Mr. Buchwald via E-mail how would the provisions of the bill be newly enforced, implemented, and whether there is a procedure set in place to execute the law. He issued this comment: "The bill has a variety of different provisions, but many parts are handled by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services and the State Police." The Governor's Press Office did not respond to WPCNR'S question as to how the provisions of the law will now be implemented and what agencies and procedures will do to begin to enforce the new requirements. In addition, the bill will:

Revoke and/or suspend the gun license of an individual upon issuance of an order of protection by a court of law;

Establish a statewide database of handgun licenses to enable the state police to crosscheck the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) to determine if any current licensees have been legally disqualified from possessing firearms under federal law;

Create statewide standards for handgun-license applications;

Require mental-health professionals to report to law enforcement when they believe a person receiving mental-health services is a danger to themselves or others. Those who possess a firearm license would have their license revoked or suspended and be required to surrender their firearms;

Allow schools to qualify for reimbursement building aid assistance if they choose to add electronic systems and hardened doors to increase safety;

Update the New York gun licensing statute to ensure those prohibited from possessing firearms on the federal level are not granted a gun license from the state;

Require re-certification of gun licenses on a 5-year cycle to include current name, date of birth, current address and the make, model, serial number and caliber of all firearms possessed;

Allow counties to keep the names and address of gun licensees confidential under certain circumstances;

Require all private sales of firearms, shotguns and rifles to be made through a licensed gun dealer to ensure that a proper background check is performed, unless the sale is between immediate family members; and

* Require owners of firearms to safely store such weapons if he/she resides with a person who is prohibited from possessing a firearm under certain provisions of federal law. “When I ran for office, one of my top priorities was ensuring the safety of our families and our community," said Assemblyman David Buchwald (D-Westchester). "As we’ve seen in recent tragedies, the consequences of dangerous weapons falling into the wrong hands are too great to ignore." “These new gun-safety measures will severely inhibit dangerous criminals from gaining access to firearms, expand truly universal background checks on guns and ammunition, and ban dangerous assault weapons,” Buchwald concluded. “I will continue to do everything in my power to make sure our community in Westchester is a safe place to raise a family. I am proud of the work we did in the legislature today.”


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