The New York State Senate has passed new gun control legislation by a 43 to 18 margin.
For weeks, legislative leaders and Governor Andrew Cuomo have been negotiating a package of gun control measures. And exactly 30 days after the Newtown school shooting, the governor sent lawmakers a 78 page bill.
The bill bans assault weapons, including those manufactured before 1994. That’s when New York State last banned assault weapons and guns prior to that date were grandfathered in. The legislation will limit magazines or clips to seven rounds.
The bill expands Kendra’s Law, which gives judges discretion over treatment for mental illness, including involuntary commitment.
Governor Cuomo says Newtown and an incident in West Webster New York where firefighters were shot and killed prompted him to act quickly. This was the first action on any piece of legislation, by the new legislature.
A signature piece of Governor Cuomo’s State of the State Address last week, this now allows Cuomo to focus on his other priorities for the session.
The Assembly will reconvene today to take up the measure.
