All about guns, legislation and politics in New York
S-7760, Requires the Division of Criminal Justice Services to publish quarterly reports providing information related to firearms, rifles and shotguns used in the commission of crimes in the state of New York, passed the Senate. Companion A-8735 on 3rd Reading.
S-7796, Amends the definition of a “disguised gun” to include any firearms designed and intended to appear to be a toy gun, passed the Senate. Companion A-8736 on 3rd Reading.
In response to two police officer shootings, Mayor Eric Adams released his “Blueprint to End Gun Violence.”
Some highlights:
“… We will also expand the partnership between the NYPD and New York State Police. We are already working with Governor Hochul’s Public Safety team on reducing gun violence, sharing critical law enforcement data, and supporting the Interstate Gun Tracing Consortium …”
More “Iron Pipeline” bullshit. Probably want to use collected data in a lawsuit against gun manufacturers based upon legislation Albany passed last year.
“… There are no gun manufacturers in New York City. Yet, even as the NYPD removed over 6,000 guns from our streets last year, we know that new guns are arriving by car, by bus and by train every day. The NYPD will work with state law enforcement to implement spot checks at entry points like Port Authority and other bus and train stations …”
Blatant 4th Amendment violation against unreasonable search and seizure.
“… And finally, we MUST raise the penalty for gun trafficking. Currently, a gun trafficker on our streets won’t face a Class B felony until they sell 10 guns in a one-year period. We need to lower that number to three. And if you are in possession of three or more guns, this should be presumptive evidence of gun trafficking, not just possession …”
Mike Bloomberg tried raising the penalties when he was Mayor. It didn’t work.
“… It is time for our federal leaders to rise to the occasion and pass common-sense legislation that is supported by an overwhelming majority of Americans. In addition to enhancing partnerships with federal law enforcement described above, we must see immediate action from Congress on guns: We must pass legislation requiring background checks on all gun sales. We must pass legislation to make gun trafficking a federal crime. We must increase penalties for those directly involved in moving guns across state lines, and the organizers of gun trafficking rings. We must increase penalties for those making straw purchases, or buying firearms from someone legally prohibited from doing so. And we must also mobilize the DOJ against the proliferation of ghost guns …”
A wish list Adams’ staff probably copied off some antigun group’s website.
Saturday’s Newsbits:
Elections:
Jurisprudence:
Legislation:
NRA:
Politics:
A new lead contamination bill I’m suspicious of has been introduced, S-8050.
I have been repeatedly warning that the state legislature has no intention of going along with any positive SCOTUS decision in NYSRPA v. Bruen.
From new bill A-8684, An act to amend the penal law, in relation to prohibiting firearms in certain locations:
“… (a) Any form of public transportation, including but not limited to railroads, ride sharing services, paratransit services, subways, buses, air travel, taxis or any other public transportation service; (b) Food and drink establishments; or (c) Large gatherings, which for the purposes of this section shall mean a gathering together of fifteen or more persons for amusement, athletic, civic, dining, educational, entertainment, patriotic, political, recreational, religious, social, or similar purposes …”
No companion bill yet.
The following bills have been Reported and sent to Rules:
Democrat gubernatorial candidates cash on hand:
Republican gubernatorial candidates cash on hand:
The City of Syracuse is hiring a Director of the Mayor’s Office to Reduce Gun Violence.
From the job description:
“The Director will focus on synchronizing the city’s anti-gun violence initiatives while working alongside residents, community stakeholders, law enforcement and violence prevention experts to identify factors perpetuating gun violence in Syracuse and implement strategic solutions informed by proven best practices to address them. The Director will be tasked with supporting existing and developing new interventions which produce measurable outcomes.”
I’m going to go out on a limb and say the person ultimately hired (at $65,000/year) is going to be a politically-connected crony of either the Mayor, another elected official, and/or local political parties.
Eric Adams appears to be keeping the Tammany spirit alive and well in his new administration:
“A member of Eric Adams’ transition team approached the commanding officer of the NYPD gun licensing division in December to ask about obtaining gun permits for civilians who would potentially be assigned to protect City Hall. The head of the NYPD License Division, according to four sources briefed on the conversation, was troubled by the pitch, made by Tim Pearson, a retired NYPD inspector serving on the Adams transition team … Police sources said another reason the request was irksome: The NYPD License Division was previously embroiled in a corruption investigation where two businessmen were arrested and later convicted for trying to bribe Mayor Bill de Blasio and numerous NYPD officials. Questions raised in the case included whether special treatment existed in the awarding of gun permits …”
This on top of Adams’ putting his brother on the payroll. Boss Tweed would be proud.
Of course there’s more:
“… The mayor’s office also confirmed that during that December meeting at One Police Plaza, Tim Pearson inquired about getting a gun permit for himself. He was told he had to apply through his home county of Nassau …”
He’d still need approval by the NYPD to let him carry inside the City with a license issued in Nassau. As Adams tried getting CCWs for his district staff when he was in the State Senate I have no doubt he’d make a phone call on behalf of his buddy Tim.