Sanders Joins Senate Democrats in Passing Critical Anti-Gun Violence Legislation To Ensure the Safety of New Yorkers

State Senator James Sanders Jr. (D-Rochdale Village Far Rockaway) today joined his colleagues in the Senate Democratic Majority to pass a package of bills aimed at reducing gun violence and protecting the safety of residents across the state. In 2018 alone, there were 13 mass shootings in New York, killing or injuring 54 people. This legislation is critical to reducing those numbers.

“As a marine, I support the constitutional right for gun ownership, but there should be a stronger system of checks in place to prevent unnecessary violence and loss of life," Sanders said. "I believe this package of bills will move us toward that goal. In addition to banning items that turn regular weapons into assault weapons like bump stocks, and keeping guns out of the wrong hands, we will also be looking at the needs of victims and examining what social factors cause gun violence. All of these elements, when addressed collectively, will make a difference.”

Combating gun violence remains a priority for Senator Sanders.

The historic legislation passed by the Senate Democratic Majority includes:
 

• Extreme Risk Protection Orders: This bill, S.2451 introduced by Senator Brian Kavanagh, allows law enforcement officials, family and household members and certain school officials to seek a court order requiring a person likely to harm themselves or others to relinquish any firearms in their possession.
• Effective Background Check Act: This bill, S.2374 introduced by Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris, establishes an extension of time up to thirty calendar days for national in-state background checks.
• Bump Stock Ban: This bill, S.2448 introduced by Senator Luis Sepulveda, prohibits the possession of a device that accelerates the rate of fire of a firearm.
• Preventing School Districts from Allowing Teachers to be Armed: This bill, S.101A introduced by Senator Todd Kaminsky, prevents K-12 schools from authorizing anyone other than a security officer, school resource officer, or law enforcement officer to carry a firearm on school grounds.
• Gun Buy Backs: This bill, S.2449 introduced by Senator Shelley Mayer, directs the State Police to devise regulations for gun buyback programs so that all buyback programs across the state are operated consistently with uniform best practices.
• Out of State Mental Health Records: This bill, S.2438 introduced by Senator Anna Kaplan, will require out-of-state applicants for gun permits to allow New York permitting authorities to review out-of-state mental health records.