On anniversary of SAFE Act, some looking to make gun laws even more stringent
By MATTHEW DONDIEGO
On the one-year anniversary of the passage of the New York Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act, or NY SAFE Act, pro-gun control activists and lawmakers have released a comprehensive 2014 legislative agenda focusing on strengthening gun safety laws in the state.
State Legislators Against Illegal Guns-New York, co-chaired by Assembly members Michelle Schimel and Brian Kavanagh, Leah Gunn Barrett of New Yorkers Against Gun Violence and a number of state lawmakers unveiled the agenda Wednesday which includes building upon the laws enacted through last year's SAFE Act.
Since the enactment of the SAFE Act — which created laws requiring background checks on all gun purchases and bans on high capacity ammunition magazines, among other measures — New York state has received praise from a number of gun control groups but fierce criticism from upstate gun owners and Second Amendment advocates. In 2013, New York received an "A-minus" rating from the Brady Campaign and the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence's 2013 State Scorecard. The groups also rated New York among the top five states with sensible gun safety measures.
"The first anniversary of the historic NY SAFE Act is an important moment to take stock of the great progress New York has made and the important work yet to be done. NYAGV and SLAIGNY will continue to work this session with the legislature and Gov. [Andrew] Cuomo to keep our citizens, and particularly our children, safe from gun violence," Gunn Barrett said. "We are confident that New York will continue to show other states and the federal government the way forward by passing common sense gun safety measures that will save lives."
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