Statement From State Senator Jose Peralta On Senate Republican Gun Proposal

“The Senate Republican plan is entirely inadequate and falls far short of what New Yorkers expect their elected officials to do about the gun violence and bloodshed that has become frighteningly common.

“Republicans talk about ‘illegal guns’ and increasing jail sentences after criminals have been caught.   The fact is, guns are not illegal until they end up in the hands of criminals.  Our focus needs to be on keeping guns out of the hands of criminals and the violently mentally ill in the first place, and on using available technology to catch criminals after using a firearm.  Only after gun criminals are caught will sentencing be relevant.  

“Simply put, let’s make it harder for criminals to get guns and make it easier for law enforcement to put gun criminals in jail.  We have bills that will do just that waiting to be voted on.

“And the failure of the plan to do anything about assault weapons is yet another indication of how thoroughly disconnected Republicans are from the reality of the gun violence plaguing our society.”

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