New York State Senate Passes Tighter Gun Control Laws, Bill Heads to Assembly

New York State Senate passed legislation Monday that will toughen New York’s assault-weapons ban and lower the number of bullets in a magazine from 10 to seven.

The measure passed, 43-18, and heads to the State Assembly, which will vote on it Tuesday morning.

State Senator James Seward commented on the bill, saying that it “won’t stop criminals from getting guns and using them for illegal purchases.”

“The rights of law abiding citizens who use firearms for sport, protection and collection, have suffered a considerable blow. While the newly minted gun laws offer some increase penalties for criminal use of guns and taking steps toward keeping weapons out of the hands of the mentally ill, they overstep in many, many ways,” he said. “For the first time, New York will be registering rifles and confiscating property. We will be doing background checks on the simple purchase of a box of .22 ammo for squirrel hunting or target practice. Someone who put 8 cartridges in his magazine instead of 7 will be a felon. Sadly, these extreme harsh measures won’t stop criminals from getting guns and using them for illegal purchases.”