Gov. Hochul, New York Democrats introduce sweeping gun reform bills in wake of mass shootings

NEW YORK (WABC) -- Governor Kathy Hochul and other New York state Democrats announced a package of gun reform bills in wake of the mass shootings in Buffalo and Uvalde on Tuesday.

A total of 10 bills were introduced in both the Assembly and Senate that would tighten New York's gun laws, close loopholes, and address gaps in the law that were exposed by the horrific events that transpired.

"Within the last month, two horrific mass shootings in Buffalo and in Texas have rattled this nation to our core and shed a new light on the urgent need for action to prevent future tragedies," Hochul said. "New York already has some of the toughest gun laws in the country but clearly we need to make them even stronger."

Among the proposed legislation is increasing the minimum age required to buy a semi-automatic rifle from 18 to 21.

The bills would also require information to be shared between state, local and federal agencies when guns are used in crimes and require microstamping for new guns.

One bill would bar anyone who isn't in law enforcement or security from buying body armor, noting that the Buffalo shooter wore a vest.

Another would make threatening a mass casualty event a crime.

Others would increase accountability for social media platforms and eliminate grandfathering of large-capacity ammunition feeding devices.

The proposed legislation would also strengthen the Red Flag law by expanding the list of people who can file for Extreme Risk Protection Orders.