NEW YORKERS AGAINST GUN VIOLENCE
Working to Reduce Gun-Related Violence Since 1993
 
For Immediate Release
January 9, 2006
 
Advocates Hail Assembly Action on
9 Gun Violence Prevention Measures
 
Albany, New York, New Yorkers Against Gun Violence, New York's leading
state-wide grassroots gun violence prevention organization praised the
New York State Assembly for passing a comprehensive package of bills
that will: prevent illegal guns from reaching the streets; protect law
enforcement; and keep guns out of prohibited hands.
 
In particular, Assemblywoman Paulin's bill requires gun dealers to
adopt responsible business practices, a critical preventive step given
that over 50% of crime guns are traced to a few corrupt and/or sloppy
dealers.  Assemblyman Koon's bill encourages law enforcement throughout
the state to use exiting resources more strategically by requiring that
all crime scene ballistic evidence be submitted for tracing and
analysis.  A bill by Assemblyman Dinowitz prohibits convicted violent
felons from obtaining guns.
 
Another bill by Assemblyman Koon protects law enforcement by keeping
armor piercing ammunition out of the civilian market.  A bill by
Assemblyman Lavelle closes loopholes in New York State's assault
weapons ban.  A recent study of FBI data showed that 1 in 5 law
enforcement officers killed in the line of duty were killed with an
assault weapon.  NYAGV surveyed Police Chiefs and Sheriffs in New York
State, and 143 signed a statement in support of these bills.
 
Other bills passed include measures to keep guns out of the hands of
children, a measure to protect domestic violence victims by ensuring
guns ar removed from the homes of subjects of orders of protection and
a bill that would prevent terrorists from acquiring .50 caliber assault
rifles, which are military style weapons with the capability of
destroying an aircraft on take off or landing.
 
Jackie Kuhls, NYAGV Executive Director said, "We are pleased that the
Assembly has followed up on the progress made in December by taking
sensible steps to PREVENT gun deaths and injuries.  The State Senate
said last month that they would continue in the fight to keep illegal
guns off of New York's streets.  They can demonstrate that this was not
an empty promise by passing the Assembly's package."
 
Contact:    Jackie Kuhls    917-587-4108
New Yorkers Against Gun Violence 3W 29th St. Suite 1007 New York, NY
10001 212-679-2345