NEW YORKERS AGAINST GUN VIOLENCE
Working to Reduce Gun-Related Violence Since 1993
For Immediate Release
March 2, 2006
Advocates Express Sorrow Over Shooting Death of Two Police Officers, Call on Governor and State Senate to Enact Gun Violence Prevention Measures
New York, New York, New Yorkers Against Gun Violence (NYAGV), New York's leading state-wide grassroots gun violence prevention organization expressed sorrow over the recent line-of-duty deaths of two law enforcement officers. Jackie Kuhls, Executive Director of NYAGV said “Our hearts go out to the families of the brave officers recently killed as they put themselves in harm’s way to protect the rest of us”.
Each year, one thousand New York State residents die from gun shot wounds and hundreds more are maimed. Since law enforcement officers are on the front lines, they are at risk every day from the many illegal guns that flood New York’s streets.
To better protect law enforcement officers and all New Yorkers, illegal guns must be cut off at their source. According to ATF data, between 60% and 75% of crime guns used in upstate New York come from within New York State. In addition, crime gun trace data has demonstrated that nearly 60% of crime guns are traced to just 1% of gun dealers. Kuhls stated, “It is clear that we can significantly reduce the number of available crime guns by mandating good conduct from gun dealers and using our ballistic evidence to efficiently focus the state’s efforts to apprehend gun traffickers”.
The New York State Assembly passed two bills that directly address these issues, A2213 and A9280. Kuhls closed, “It is time for the State Senate to get serious about shutting off the source of illegal guns and pass bills that go to the heart of the problem. Governor Pataki should support this important legislation. Rather than focusing solely on punishment, New York needs action on measures that will PREVENT gun deaths and injuries”.
Contact: Jackie Kuhls 917-587-4108
New Yorkers Against Gun Violence 3W 29th St. Suite 1007 New York, NY 10001 212-679-2345