NY Governor Andre Cuomo calls for strict gun laws, bans on rifles, magazines and ammunition
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo called for tougher state bans on “assault weapons” and high-capacity magazines of ammunition as part of a progressive agenda in a sometimes fiery State of the State speech Wednesday.
“No one hunts with an assault rifle. No one needs 10 bullets to kill a deer,” Cuomo said. “End the madness now!
“The tragic events of just the last few weeks in Newtown, Connecticut have indelibly taught us guns can cut down small children, firefighters and policemen in a moment,” Cuomo said.
The state already has among the most restrictive gun control laws in the nation, and the governor noted that New York passed the nation’s first handgun permit law, in 1911.
A deal is expected soon that could make New York one of the first states to pass gun control laws in reaction to the Dec. 14 shooting, in which 20 first-graders and six educators were gunned down with a powerful weapon at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut. The shooter also killed his mother and himself.
“Let’s lead the way once again in saving lives,” Cuomo said in a rousing speech .
As recounted by the New York Observer:
“Number 1: Enact the toughest assault weapon ban in the nation, period!” he shouted, before ticking off his other new gun control proposals. “Number two, close the private sale loophole by requiring federal background checks. Number three, ban high-capacity magazines. Number four, enact tougher penalties for illegal gun use, guns in school grounds and violent gangs. Number five, keep guns from people who are mentally ill. Number six, ban direct internet sales of ammunition in New York. Number seven, create a state [National Instant Criminal Background Check System] check on all ammunition purchases.”
Mr. Cuomo predicted the rest of the country will follow New York’s lead and adopt stiffer gun laws.
“New York State led the way on guns once before. It was the Sullivan’s law of 1911, which was the first-in-the-nation gun control law. A model law,” he explained.
[…] “I know that the issue of gun control is hard. I know that it’s political. I know it’s controversial,” the governor said, his voice rising with every word. “I say to you, forget the extremists! It’s simple: no one hunts with an assault rifle! No one needs 10 bullets to kill a deer! Too many innocent people have died already! End this madness now!”
By the end of the speech, the governor was shouting.
“Pass safe, reasonable gun control in the State of New York! Make this state safer! Save lives! Set an example for the rest of the nation! Let them look at New York and say, ‘This is what you can do! This is what you should do!’ This is New York, the progressive capital, you should them how we lead! We can do it! We’ve done it before and we can do it again.”
He left the stage to deafening applause from the assembled lawmakers.
[…] Sandy Hook Shooting Has States Looking at Tighter LawsLitchfield County TimesABC News -The Global Dispatch -Washington Post (blog)all 1,865 news […]
Great nations along with the rights of its people always die with thunderous applause.