News

New York Gun Laws Could Get Stronger

Updated Thursday, January 10, 2013

Written By: Joe Melillo

In New York, Governor Cuomo is vowing to make the state’s gun Laws the strongest in the Country.

January 10, 2013
Southern Tier (WENY) - In Washington, Vice President Joe Biden is leading a gun task force committee to discuss law changes that could curb the nations trend of gun violence. In New York, Governor Cuomo is vowing to make the state's gun Laws the strongest in the Country. On both levels of government, changes to gun control laws could soon be on the horizon.
     Hesselsons in Elmira Heights has been selling guns for a long time, and over the years Store Manager Tom Witzel says he's seen laws get progressively stricter.
      “About 15 years or 18 years ago individual gun sales had to be called into the bureau of alcohol tobacco and fire arms for gun sale to proceed so that's probably the biggest change I've seen,” says Witzel.
     Right now if you want to buy a gun you have to provide your social security number, drivers license and then get a federal background check. In addition New York gun owners cannot buy a 30 round magazine, along with other restrictions. Now in light of recent shootings, including one close to home in Webster, Governor Cuomo wants to make gun laws stricter. Cuomo wants enhanced penalties for people who buy guns illegally and for people who bring guns on school property. Cuomo also proposed getting mental health professionals involved to monitor individuals who might be unfit to own a gun. Gun owners are all for stricter rules if they're within reason.
      “The biggest thing is that they keep trying to limit things. As long as they try to limit things within reason and still keep in mind if you're a law abiding citizen and use guns the right way then we shouldn't be prohibited from owning fire arms or ammunition,” says Witezel.
     Vice President Joe Biden indicated requiring all gun buyers to pass a federal background check could be a key part of a White House plan to combat mass shootings.