Gov. Hochul Strengthens New York’s Gun Laws in 10-Bill Legislation Package

By Yehudit Garmaise

From Friday to Sunday, the U.S. experienced 2022’s deadliest weekend yet when at least 12 shooters nationwide stormed into public places with guns to start shooting at random: killing 17 Americans.

On Monday in New York City, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a legislative package of 10 bills that seek to immediately strengthen the state’s gun laws in an attempt to protect innocent New Yorkers.

Raising the age, from 18 to 21, at which citizens can obtain licenses to buy semi-automatic weapons was first on the governor’s agenda, after the mass shooters in both Buffalo and Uvalde, Texas, in recent weeks, were both 18 years old.

Gov. Hochul also strengthened the “Red Flag Law,” by providing mental healthcare practitioners in addition to the removal of the firearms of those who appear to be a threat to others.

Also, after gathering credible information, from social media, or any source, that any New Yorker is “likely to engage in conduct that would result in serious harm to themselves or others,” police and district attorneys are now required to file ERPOs.

As a result of the new legislation, providers of firearm licenses in New York are now required to consider mental health professionals’ reports on those who apply for gun licenses.

Mass shootings are rare in other countries, however, in the US, more than 240 mass shootings have taken place already in 2022: a phenomenon that Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado blamed on the “pervasiveness of illegal firearms.”

“Year after year, our neighborhoods are flooded with illegal guns and ghost guns, tormenting families and law-abiding citizens every day, but yet the national response does not change,” said Delgado.

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, (R-Texas), among other Republicans, however, claims that stronger gun laws would not have prevented the many mass shootings of late.

“If those federal grants had gone to this school when that psychopath arrived, the armed police officers could have taken him out,” Cruz said after the Uvalde massacre in reference to his “door control” policy.