New York State Senate Passes Gun Control Bill

The New York State Senate has passed a new gun control bill. The bill passed 43 to 18. The vote on the bill took place just before 11:30 Monday night.

The bill puts an immediate end to all assault weapon sales. The bill would reduce the number of "military rifle" features a weapon needs to have to be considered an assault weapon to one, and include the popular pistol grip. Assault weapons already owned would be grandfathered in under the bill.

The bill also puts a limit on the size of magazines, from 10 rounds down to 7. Those who currently own magazines with a capacity higher than 7 would have a year to sell them out of state. The bill also says mental health professionals would be required to report potentially dangerous patients seeking a gun.

Also included in the bill is a "Webster provision" that requires a life sentence in prison for anyone who kills a first responder.

Of the eight local senators, seven voted against the bill. They were Senator Joe Robach, Senator George Maziarz, Senator Michael Ranzenhofer, Senator Pat Gallivan, Senator Catherine Young, Senator Thomas O'Mara, and Senator Michael Nizzolio. Sneator Ted O'Brien was the only senator from our area who voted yes on the bill.

The vote came on the one month anniversary of the deadly school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. The State Assembly has not voted on the bill yet. They are expected to Tuesday morning.