New York Post: NY gun law set to go into effect, will close ‘Charleston Loophole’

While Congress and the White House dither over gun control, a new background check law goes into effect in New York Thursday that closes the so-called “Charleston Loophole,” which let church  shooter Dylann Roof buy the weapons for his 2015 shooting spree that killed nine black worshippers.

The new law creates a 30-day period before allowing a sale to proceed if a background check does not come back instantly with a “proceed” notification from the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) used by the FBI.

The prior state law said a firearm sale must be allowed after three days, even if a background check does not come back with a response.

State Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris (D-Queens), who drafted the bill in Albany’s upper house, said, “Common-sense gun safety reform will save lives, period. Stronger background checks will keep guns away from dangerous people.”

Assemblywoman Amy Paulin (D-Westchester), author in the lower house said, “Most background checks come back quickly and cleanly from NICS. This law will not hinder a law-abiding citizen’s ability to purchase of a gun. But I’ve talked to the FBI and on too many of these cases, they just need more time.

“Given the constant challenges we face keeping our families and communities safe from mass shootings, from terrorism, from domestic violence and from so much else, I’m proud that New York has shown such leadership in keeping guns out of the wrong hands,” she added.

Read the full article here.