We congratulate state Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel (D-Great Neck) who pushed to get Albany to pass the strongest, most comprehensive gun-safety legislation in the state’s history.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed sweeping gun control measures into law last week. The New York Safe Act tightens the state’s assault weapons ban, reduces the maximum size of ammunition magazines from 10 to seven rounds and strengthens permit requirements for firearms.
A controversial measure mandates that mental health clinicians report patients who they consider a threat to commit violence.
Although the gun lobby doesn’t like this, it makes sense.
Hopefully it will help to keep weapons out of the hands of people who are mentally ill, like the shooter who killed the children at Sandy Hook. There never should have been a gun of any kind in his home.
After the governor signed the legislation, Schimel said, “This is a historic day. The public safety of the citizens of New York was the priority. I stood with the governor and both houses of the state Legislature in passing the strongest, most comprehensive gun-safety legislation in our state’s history.”
But State Sen. Jack Martins (R-Mineola), who voted for the bill, doubts that it will save lives. “We make gun laws,” he said, “only to then go soft on those who break them.”
The district attorney and judges should see Martins words as a challenge. They need to strictly enforce the gun laws and not allow convicts to plea bargain their way out of prison sentences.
