Cuomo Unveils Plan for Gun Legislation Reform
By: Tina Shively
Updated: January 9, 2013
Governor Andrew Cuomo used the State of the State address to announce what those on both sides of the gun debate expected; widespread, strict gun reform.
"We must stop the madness my friends, and in one word it's just enough," said Cuomo. "It has been enough."
It's a seven point agenda that Cuomo says will prove New York can lead the country when it comes to gun legislation, as it did over 100 years ago.
Item one is to enact the toughest ban on assault weapons in the nation.
Two, is to close the private sale loophole by requiring federal background checks.
He also wants to ban high capacity magazines and enact tougher penalities for illegal gun use on school grounds and by violent gangs.
Legal gun use by responsible hunters and sportsmen is not being targeted, according to Cuomo.
Many have been up in arms since rumors of the Governor's strict penalties began to surface.
"I've hunted, I've shot that not what this is about," said Gov. Cuomo. "It is about ending the unnecessary risk of high capacity assault rifles, that's what this is about."
Keeping guns from people who are mentally ill is agenda item number 5.
The Governor also wants to ban direct internet sales of ammunition in New York, and also create a state check on all ammunition purchases.
The legislation will likely be sweeping and all encompassing, A precedent set by the Empire State over a century ago.
The state's Sullivan Act of 1911 was the first law requiring a license for a concealed weapon.
Governor Cuomo added "New York lead the way then, let's pass safe legislation and lead the way once again in saving lives."
