On Tuesday, New York state Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the New York SAFE Act (Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement) into law. The bill will make New York state home to the toughest gun legislation in the nation. Part of the law includes a ban on high-capacity magazines and assault weapons along with provisions designed to keep guns out of the hands of convicted felons and mental- health patients who have been labeled “dangerous.”
New York will be the first state to ban magazines that can hold more than seven rounds and run instant background checks on all ammunition purchases at the point of sale. Under the legislation, authorities can track ammunition purchases in real time to alert law enforcement to high-volume buys. The bill also includes closing private sale loopholes to make sure all gun purchases are prone to background checks; recertification of pistol permits every two years; and tougher penalties on those who possess illegal guns.
All of these new developments were music to the ears of Manhattan District Attorney and President of the District Attorneys Association of the State of New York Cy Vance. Late last week, Vance hoped that Cuomo’s bill would pass and would mark a shift in how the state and the city deal with guns.
“We need to reduce gun-
related carnage, and the time for commonsense, bipartisan action is now. Governor Cuomo has proposed some of the strongest and most sensible gun control measures to date, including measures that are strongly supported by the District Attorneys Association for the State of New York,” said Vance in a released statement. “These measures will protect all New Yorkers from gun violence while upholding the constitutional rights of gun owners. This is the mandate given to all elected officials: to do the hard work necessary to strengthen public safety without eroding the rights of citizens. Governor Cuomo and his colleagues have just proposed that, and for that they deserve enormous praise, support, and our thanks.”
After signing the bill, Cuomo wanted to make clear to New York residents that this bill isn’t about responsible gun owners or those who hunt.
“This legislation is not about hunters, sportsmen or legal owners who use their guns appropriately. It is about reducing gun violence and making New York a safer place to live,” said Cuomo. Vance agreed.
“As prosecutors, our job is to keep people safe,” said Vance. “But we need our legislators to give us stronger tools to prevent gun violence and aggressively prosecute individuals who use illegal guns.”