On Monday June 2 @ 11:00am Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson and Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark will join with antigun advocates for a press conference launching Gun Violence Awareness Month in the Bronx, Lou Gehrig Plaza, 161st Street between Walton Avenue and the Grand Concourse, Bronx.
Councilwoman Ung unhappy with CDC cuts
Councilwoman Sandra Ung has introduced Res 892-2025 whining about “cuts to vital federal agencies.”
Included in the bill:
… Whereas, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) is predicted to lose 2,400 jobs or 20% of its staff in the coming months; and
Whereas, The CDC staff who have already been terminated include individuals who worked on programs to prevent drowning and gun violence, improve worker safety and test for sexually transmitted diseases; and …
I’m sure President Trump will get right on this.
Ryan wants to tackle gun violence
As a State Senator, Sean Ryan supported pretty much every gun control scheme that ever came up for a vote. He aspires to be the Democrat nominee for Mayor of Buffalo and expresses a desire to “tackle gun violence” in his campaign ad:
Apparently all the gun control crap he voted for in Albany was unable to do that.
Newsbits
Sunday’s Newsbits:
Jurisprudence:
Legislation:
- Trump’s ‘big beautiful’ bill deregulates firearm silencers
- D.A. Bragg, Senator Hoylman-Sigal And Assemblymember Rosenthal Announce New Push To Address Emergence Of 3D-Printed Guns & Auto Sears
- Assembly, Again, Passes Study Of Smart Guns
NRA:
- Longtime NRA lobbyist Marion Hammer, 86, opens fire on NRA, claims it abandoned her, breached $220K-a-year contract
- North Sues NRA and Thom King; King Hires Brewer To Sue North
- Head of NY gun organization sues Oliver North in ongoing NRA spat
Politics:
Syracuse Mayoral candidates on guns
The Post-Standard has an article on the candidates running for Mayor of Syracuse. They were asked this question:
“Mayor Ben Walsh started an office to reduce gun violence during his administration. Would you continue that office as mayor? Why or why not? If you’ll keep it, how would you change it?”
Here are relevant excerpts:
- Thomas Babilon (R): “Syracuse has a problem with violence, not guns … The current efforts of the Office to Reduce Gun Violence are directed at violence prevention and a more appropriate name would be the Office of Community Violence Prevention. Some of the efforts of the office should be applauded … Other aspects of the program are questionable. Especially concerning is its use of “credible messengers” with questionable backgrounds and a lack of training as messengers to our at-risk youth … If it is to be sustained as an independent office of the mayor, its success must be demonstrated. While a version of the office is likely to continue under my administration for the purpose of managing state and federal pass-through grants, at this time the office has been unable to articulate any success that would justify its continued existence in its current for …”
- Pat Hogan (D): “Yes, I would continue the office to reduce gun violence, but I would reshape it to focus more directly on equity, prevention, and community-driven solutions. Gun violence is a public health crisis that we cannot police our way out of. We need to invest in people …”
- Chol Majok (D): “While I respect Mayor Walsh’s intent in creating the Office to Reduce Gun Violence, I will not continue the office in its current form — it will not be housed at City Hall. The strategies used by the current administration have fallen short. We must take a new direction that addresses violence directly and builds real trust and safety in our neighborhoods … My focus will be on measurable outcomes, real accountability, and partnerships that save lives. Rehabilitation services will be offered, but unlike the current administration, they will not be optional. Those who continue to bring violence to our neighborhoods will face strong and consistent consequences … Gun violence is not just a policing issue—it’s a public health and community trauma issue, and we must treat it that way …”
- Sharon Owens (D): “Gun violence is a public health crisis. I won’t just continue the Mayor’s Office to Reduce Gun Violence (MORGV), I’ll make it stronger …”
There is a Democrat primary for the month. As I have frequent said, gun activists must participate in the election process, especially in urban Democrat enclaves. With that in mind, I believe the best choice in the primary is to vote for Majok. In the general, support Babilon.
Lawmakers Push for Stricter Gun Laws Targeting Glocks
Legislative update
The following Senate bills have been Reported:
- S-362, Establishes a 10 day waiting period for the purchase of any firearm. Companion A-3233.
- S-399, Makes it illegal for certain persons to possess or sell a pistol converter or a converted pistol. Companion A-199.
- S-4277, Relates to prohibiting the possession of certain .50 caliber firearms. No companion.
- S-6121, Requires the preparation and dissemination of written materials regarding child access prevention and the safe storage of firearms; establishes such information shall be provided to students and/or persons in a parental relationship to such students at the beginning of each semester or quarter of the regular school year beginning on and after July 1, 2026. Companion A-7566.
- S-7236, Prohibits the purchase of ammunition if such purchaser failed a background check, is prohibited by federal law or is subject to a temporary or extreme risk protection order issued pursuant to article sixty-three-A of the civil practice law and rules. Companion A-7983.
No action in the Assembly.
Legislative agenda for week of May 19
Senate Codes Committee for Tuesday May 20 @ 12:30pm:
- S-392, Establishes a 10 day waiting period for the purchase of any firearm. Companion A-3233.
- S-399, Makes it illegal for certain persons to possess or sell a pistol converter or a converted pistol. Companion A-199.
- S-6121, Requires the preparation and dissemination of written materials regarding child access prevention and the safe storage of firearms; establishes such information shall be provided to students and/or persons in a parental relationship to such students at the beginning of each semester or quarter of the regular school year beginning on and after July 1, 2026. Companion A-7566.
- S-7236, Prohibits the purchase of ammunition if such purchaser failed a background check, is prohibited by federal law or is subject to a temporary or extreme risk protection order issued pursuant to article sixty-three-A of the civil practice law and rules. Companion A-7983.
Newsbits
Thursday’s Newsbits:
Jurisprudence:
- Feds insist Second Amendment doesn’t protect machine guns
- Gun owners urge Fourth Circuit to strike down carry laws in Maryland, Virginia
- Attorney General Bonta Defends Maine’s Three-Day Waiting Period for Firearms Purchases
- Insurance Group Seeks to Back AIG in New York Ghost Gun Dispute
Legislation:
NRA:
Politics:
Letter to Bondi
Back in February President Trump directed the Attorney General to examine all state gun laws and regulations to see if they comply with recent SCOTUS rulings on 2nd Amendment rights.
Congresswomen Elise Stefanik and Claudia Tenney have just sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bond to review New York’s gun laws:

This is nice, but unless Bondi takes legal action against New York it’s just light political theater. I mean something serious, like challenging Hochul’s gun control laws and/or the phony SAFE Act all the way to SCOTUS. I’m not holding my breath on that.