New Yorkers Against Gun Violence
Working
to Reduce Gun-Related Violence Since 1993
PRESS RELEASE Contact: Andy Pelosi 212-679-2345
May
14, 2003
GUN VIOLENCE
PREVENTION ACTIVISTS RALLY TO
REDUCE THE NUMBER OF ILLEGAL GUNS IN NEW YORK STATE
(Albany, NY) New Yorkers Against Gun Violence (NYAGV)
held their 7th Annual Sensible
Gun Legislation Day today at the State Capitol.
NYAGV, along with members from the Million Mom March, the Interfaith
Alliance of Nassau County and high school students from Long Island, Westchester
and New York City met with over 50 legislators and during the rally called on
the Governor and the Legislature to pass and sign into law two priorities:
1) Expansion of New York State's Combined Ballistic Identification System (CoBIS) Today, Assemblyman Koon introduced a bill to expand CoBIS to include casings from all long guns, bullets and casings from most frequently traced crime guns, and both bullets and casings from guns that do not readily eject casings on firing. The expansion will enable law enforcement to complete traces on most ballistic evidence found at crime scenes when the gun was first purchased in New York, even when a crime gun is not recovered. Richard Aborn, President of NYAGV noted, "Ballistic fingerprinting is one of the best law enforcement tools to fight illegal guns to come along in a long time and NYS has one of the best ballistic imaging laws in the nations. But, it doesn't go far enough. Had the DC area sniper shooting occurred here, New York's ballistic fingerprinting law would not have been helpful because it doesn't cover rifles. The New York State legislature has an opportunity to broaden this law to cover long guns and bullets and in doing so make the law the model for the nation."
2) Stricter standards for gun dealers and tougher penalties for gun traffickers Current state laws governing gun dealers are inadequate and do not prevent the diversion of firearms to the illegal marketplace. A recent study of traced New York City crime guns found that 3 of the top 10 dealers of guns used in crime were located in New York City. Assemblywoman Paulin is the sponsor of bill number A.8456 that sets standards for gun dealers including improved record keeping, comprehensive inventory security, adequate liability insurance and properly trained salespeople. This legislation also makes it easier to prosecute gun traffickers by lowering the threshold number of guns required for criminal possession and sale of firearms charges.
Speakers at the rally included: Richard M. Aborn, President, NYAGV; Edie Smith, Chair Manhattan Chapter of the Million Mom March; Mary Steber, NYAGV Board Member whose 14 year old son was killed by another 14 year old showing off his father’s automatic pistol; student members of REACTION Gun Violence (NYAGV’s youth chapter); Assemblymembers Lentol, Koon, Paulin, Weisenberg, Peoples and O’Donnell; and Senators Paterson, Schneiderman, and Krueger.
NYAGV Executive Director Andy Pelosi stated, “Every day 3 people are killed by guns in New York State. We must mandate responsible business practices for gun dealers and give law enforcement the tools they need to reduce the number of illegal guns and prevent such tragic and senseless loss of life.”
About New Yorkers Against Gun Violence
New Yorkers Against Gun Violence is New York State’s leading grassroots organization committed to reducing gun violence in our communities through advocacy and education that leads to changes in public awareness and policy to protect New York State residents and particularly youth from gun violence.
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