Posted on 12/17/2005 4:38:17 PM PST by lowbridge
Silver Introduces New Gun Trafficking Legislation
Calls for Governor, Senate to 'Take Strongest Action to Defend New Yorkers' During Next Week's Special Session
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver today announced that the Assembly was introducing new legislation (A.9083) to combat illegal gun trafficking that would provide the same penalties as legislation proposed by the governor and the additional initiatives contained in Assembly bill 2345, sponsored by Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, which previously passed the Assembly.
"Next week's special legislative session provides an ideal opportunity to move forward with a comprehensive approach to combating gun violence," Silver said. "Clearly the fact that 29 out of the 35 members of the Senate Republican Conference receive an A rating from the NRA cannot be allowed to dictate public policy in New York State. The Senate and governor continue to protect loopholes that allow gun traffickers to evade detection and contribute to the illegal gun market in this state where criminals can obtain devastating weapons that threaten our safety. Being in the pocket of the NRA, which stridently opposes common-sense measures to end gun trafficking in our state and nationally, is the only explanation for their failure to enact Assembly measures this year to crack down on the illegal trade in guns."
Silver said the bill he is introducing reflected the best proposals put forward by all of the parties on the gun-trafficking issue and called for the measure to be the first order of business in the upcoming special legislative session being called today by Governor George Pataki.
"Our new legislation would both crack down on illegal gun traffickers and stop guns from falling into the hands of criminals to begin with," said Silver. "In it we have agreed to adopt all of the penalty provisions advanced by the governor and the Senate on the gun-trafficking issue. This legislation eliminates all differences on the penalty issue between the governor and the bill passed earlier this year in the Assembly.
"However, the governor's proposal does not do enough to provide the full protection New Yorkers deserve. Its penalties, in the absence of any other measures, would be an inadequate solution to the problem of illegal gun trafficking in New York. The governor and the Senate must agree to do more," Silver said.
Silver cited a statement released today by Jim Brady, former press secretary to President Ronald Regan and chair of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, that called on the Senate and governor to adopt the approach contained in the new legislation.
Speaking of legislation previously passed by the Assembly on the gun-trafficking issue, which are carried over into this newly introduced legislation, Brady said: "The governor and the state Senate should adopt [Speaker Silver's] approach. New York should toughen the penalties but also take real steps to dry up the sources of crime guns."
Silver also called on the Senate and governor to pass other bills to combat gun violence previously passed by the Assembly, including legislation to outlaw lethal, armor-piercing "cop-killer" bullets and ban exploding bullets. The Assembly passed such a bill, A.2837, in May of this year.
Silver remains committed to continuing to work with the governor and the Senate to attain agreement on legislation that cracks down on gun violence in the strongest, most comprehensive way possible.
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Click here to view a copy of the Brady Statement in Support of Assembly Majority Legislation to Crack Down on Gun Violence
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from NYSRPA letter:
Sheldon Silver's new gun bill A-9083 isn't available yet. This is what was in A-2345:
1. The Superintendent of State Police shall develop programs designed to stop straw purchases and stop illegal sales.
2. Firearm dealers must carry at least $1 million in insurance in case the buyer misuses a firearm. Dealers are liable.
3. Firearm dealers must keep their guns & ammo locked up.
4. Persons under 18 not allowed in gun stores unless accompanied by an adult.
5. Gun dealers must be trained to spot straw purchasers.
6. Dealers must do NICs checks.
7. Dealers must put stickers on cases saying guns should be locked up when not in use.
8. Dealers must keep records of all sales.
9. Dealers must do regular inventory of firearms.
10. Dealers must cooperate with police.
11. Dealers must report straw buyers.
12. A person is guilty of criminal possession of a weapon in the first degree when they posses 10 or more firearms (legally or not) and the penalty is a class B felony.
Future legislation could also very easily change "class B felony" to "misdemeanor" or "parking ticket." This provision could cover a lot of gun owners who aren't gun traffickers, e.g. people in possession of untaxed cigarettes.
Leftists think the real terrorists are gun owners.
It's just Shelley showing he's important. He must still be stinging from the defeat of his bill to bypass the Govenor on budgets.
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