Source: The New York Daily News - http://www.nydailynews.com/2000-03-15/News_and_Views/Beyond_the_City/a-60046.asp
Pataki Wants Tough New Laws on Guns
Seeks nation's 1st bullet database
BY JOE MAHONEY
Daily News Albany Bureau
New York would be thrust into the vanguard of the fight against gun violence under a bold new proposal by Gov. Pataki to launch a first-of-its-kind gun-tracing system.
Gun manufacturers selling weapons in the state would be required to provide police with shell casings and bullets fired by the guns, giving law enforcement the ability to maintain a digital database that could be analyzed to solve gun crimes, Pataki said last night.
The measure is part of a five-part plan that also would require gun dealers to sell child-safety locking devices whenever they sell a firearm.
The other measures would:
- Ban the possession and sale of assault weapons in New York, putting New York in line with existing federal legislation.
- Mandate background checks for purchases of guns at all gun shows.
- Require that anyone obtaining a handgun permit in New York be at least 19 years old.
Pataki said the gun-tracing system — which he is dubbing DNA for Guns — "gives law enforcement an enormous tool for solving crimes."
When a gun is fired, a distinctive marking is left on the shell casing and bullet, information that would be electronically kept on file where it could be retrieved by law enforcement officers, the governor said.
"A criminal doesn't often leave a gun at a crime scene, but they often leave a bullet or a shell casing," he noted.
The measure requires that when a weapon is sold, the dealer notify the state police of the ownership change.
Pataki is to be joined today by New York City Police Commissioner Howard Safir; Westchester District Attorney Jeanine Pirro, who heads the state District Attorneys Association, and others in announcing the new crimefighting package.
Violent crime has dropped significantly in New York over the past five years, the governor noted. "Our policies are working in a dramatic way, but that doesn't mean that we in any way should let up," he said.
Pataki's call for child-safety locks comes two weeks after the shooting death of a 6-year-old girl at a Michigan school. She was killed by another child who gained access to a handgun. Pataki's aides said he was already developing the initiatives before that incident.
Seventeen states have child-safety lock requirements. At least six require those obtaining gun permits to be older than 21.
Pataki is casting the initiative not as a gun control measure but as a crime prevention tool. Since taking office in 1995, Pataki has signed death penalty legislation, as well as Megan's Law to keep sex offenders on a short leash and Jenna's Law, which ended parole for most violent felons.
The National Rifle Association opposes such a gun-tracing system, contending it is a preliminary step toward national gun registration. Pataki's proposals also will put him at odds with Republicans nationally.
The outlook for the legislation is uncertain. In past sessions, state Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno (R-Rensselaer) has resisted assault weapons bans, instead calling for increased penalties for those who commit crimes with guns.
"Virtually every one of the criminal justice initiatives has been a difficult fight," Pataki said. "I'm sure these will be as well. But they will make our streets safer and our schools safer."
For those of you that think this won't pass, I remind you the A6899-The Assault Weapon Prohibition and Licensing Act of 1999 PASSED the New York State Assembly on May 5, 1999 by a 3.4 to 1 ratio (113 to 33)! IT CAN HAPPEN HERE!
Pataki Wants Tough New Laws on Guns
Seeks nation's 1st bullet database
BY JOE MAHONEY
Daily News Albany Bureau
New York would be thrust into the vanguard of the fight against gun violence under a bold new proposal by Gov. Pataki to launch a first-of-its-kind gun-tracing system.
Gun manufacturers selling weapons in the state would be required to provide police with shell casings and bullets fired by the guns, giving law enforcement the ability to maintain a digital database that could be analyzed to solve gun crimes, Pataki said last night.
The measure is part of a five-part plan that also would require gun dealers to sell child-safety locking devices whenever they sell a firearm.
The other measures would:
- Ban the possession and sale of assault weapons in New York, putting New York in line with existing federal legislation.
- Mandate background checks for purchases of guns at all gun shows.
- Require that anyone obtaining a handgun permit in New York be at least 19 years old.
Pataki said the gun-tracing system — which he is dubbing DNA for Guns — "gives law enforcement an enormous tool for solving crimes."
When a gun is fired, a distinctive marking is left on the shell casing and bullet, information that would be electronically kept on file where it could be retrieved by law enforcement officers, the governor said.
"A criminal doesn't often leave a gun at a crime scene, but they often leave a bullet or a shell casing," he noted.
The measure requires that when a weapon is sold, the dealer notify the state police of the ownership change.
Pataki is to be joined today by New York City Police Commissioner Howard Safir; Westchester District Attorney Jeanine Pirro, who heads the state District Attorneys Association, and others in announcing the new crimefighting package.
Violent crime has dropped significantly in New York over the past five years, the governor noted. "Our policies are working in a dramatic way, but that doesn't mean that we in any way should let up," he said.
Pataki's call for child-safety locks comes two weeks after the shooting death of a 6-year-old girl at a Michigan school. She was killed by another child who gained access to a handgun. Pataki's aides said he was already developing the initiatives before that incident.
Seventeen states have child-safety lock requirements. At least six require those obtaining gun permits to be older than 21.
Pataki is casting the initiative not as a gun control measure but as a crime prevention tool. Since taking office in 1995, Pataki has signed death penalty legislation, as well as Megan's Law to keep sex offenders on a short leash and Jenna's Law, which ended parole for most violent felons.
The National Rifle Association opposes such a gun-tracing system, contending it is a preliminary step toward national gun registration. Pataki's proposals also will put him at odds with Republicans nationally.
The outlook for the legislation is uncertain. In past sessions, state Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno (R-Rensselaer) has resisted assault weapons bans, instead calling for increased penalties for those who commit crimes with guns.
"Virtually every one of the criminal justice initiatives has been a difficult fight," Pataki said. "I'm sure these will be as well. But they will make our streets safer and our schools safer."
For those of you that think this won't pass, I remind you the A6899-The Assault Weapon Prohibition and Licensing Act of 1999 PASSED the New York State Assembly on May 5, 1999 by a 3.4 to 1 ratio (113 to 33)! IT CAN HAPPEN HERE!