Assemblyman Abinanti: Joining the Call for Stronger Gun Legislation

As the Assemblyman representing the 92nd Assembly District, I applaud my colleagues Congresswoman Nita Lowey, State Senator David Carlucci, and Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee for their recent efforts calling for stronger gun legislation. It is encouraging that just today President Obama announced two new executive actions which will curb the import of military surplus weapons and close the loophole that lets felons bypass a background check if a gun is registered to a corporation. We need to continue to put the pressure on Congress to pass both a comprehensive gun control bill as well as legislation that creates a universal background check system.

However, gun control is an issue that New Yorkers want action on now. That is why we in the state legislature passed the New York Secure Firearms and Ammunition Enforcement Act (SAFE ACT) in January, containing some of the strongest gun control proposals in the country. That is also why I have proposed the following package of four gun control bills that seek to curb gun violence and provide increased safety measures for gun owners:

• Requiring applicants for firearms licenses, outside of New York City, to successfully complete a firearms safety course and test before the license is issued or renewed.
• Requiring gun owners to safely store their rifles, shotguns and other firearms when not in the owner's immediate possession or control.
• Making it illegal to promote or sell a weapon on public property and bans the use of public property for gun shows.
• Making it illegal to manufacture, possess and sell firearms, firearm receivers and ammunition magazines that are not detectable by traditional metal detectors.

These four bills will go a long way in making our communities safer and gun owners more responsible. It is a reasonable package that contains measures that both gun owners and gun control advocates should be able to agree on.

Whether it is at the local, state or national level, we need action now on this important issue – we can’t wait.