PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release                                                                                             Contact: Andy Pelosi

March 15, 2004                                                                                                                212-679-2345

New York, NY: New Yorkers Against Gun Violence (NYAGV) the state’s leading gun violence prevention organization, applauded today’s passage in the State Assembly of a significant package of seven bills, including one that would make New York a leader in the use of ballistic imaging technology to help solve crimes.

Andy Pelosi, executive director of NYAGV, said: "The Assembly’s action today will serve to increase public safety and save lives by reducing the number of illegal guns, protecting children and families and providing law enforcement with state of the art investigative tools. These measures build upon the strong foundation of laws passed in 2000 and we call upon the Senate and the Governor to ensure that these bills become law."

The package of bills passed by the Assembly included three of NYAGV’s top priorities: 1) A.8542 - expansion of the state’s ballistic imaging program known as CoBIS (Combined Ballistic Identification System) to eventually require the imaging of shell casings and bullets for most guns; 2) A.8456 – stricter regulations of gun dealers and increased penalties for gun traffickers and 3) A.4615 – child access prevention requiring gun owners to safely secure their weapons. Additional measures included banning of the .50 caliber sniper rifle, requiring judges to inquire if a defendant owns a handgun before issuing an order of protection, prohibiting violent felons from petitioning to have their ability to own or possess guns restored, and a requirement that handgun makers begin producing guns that cannot be operated by an average 5-year-old.

Jackie Kuhls, NYAGV public policy director said, "Sensible gun laws save lives. Expanding the ballistics databank will broaden the ability of law enforcement to secure leads from crime scenes, even when the crime gun is not found, allowing crime guns to be taken off the streets sooner, before more lives are lost. The gun dealer bill complements this initiative by cutting off a major source of illegal guns. While most firearms dealers operate responsibly, a few bad apple dealers contribute a disproportionate number of the guns used in crime. This bill mandates business practices that will keep guns out of prohibited hands".

"For nine years we have come to Albany with families who have lost children because another child finds an unlocked, loaded gun. The Assembly always passes a bill to require gun owners to safely store weapons. Now the Senate must stand up to protect children and pass A.4615, too." stated Barbara Hohlt, NYAGV board member.

Pelosi continued, "We plan to continue our campaign in support of the measures passed today by the Assembly and will work to bring pressure on both the Senate and the Governor to act before the session ends in June."

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