New York, NY – April 14, 2014 – Tomorrow is the date by which owners of military-style assault weapons must register their weapons, a requirement of the landmark NY SAFE Act, which was passed by a bipartisan legislature and signed into law by Governor Cuomo fifteen months ago.
Leah Gunn Barrett, Executive Director of NYAGV, said, "The NY SAFE Act has been ruled constitutional by both federal and state courts despite vigorous attempts by the corporate gun lobby to block it. Judge William Skretny in his December 31, 2013 ruling cited the SAFE Act's role in furthering the state's important interest in public safety. And the ban on military-style assault weapons, which were designed to meet specific combat needs, is an important part of the law. Individuals who owned these weapons prior to the law's passage are allowed to keep them as long as they register them."
Barrett added, "Experts, such as those in law enforcement who understand firearms, tell us that each of these assault weapon features serves a specific military combat function. Civilian assault weapons retain the specific design features that make these weapons so deadly. These features are not cosmetic but are what distinguish assault weapons from traditional sporting rifles. These weapons of war have no place in our communities."
Barrett concluded, "The NY SAFE Act, through such measures as universal background checks on gun and ammunition sales, a stronger ban on assault weapons, and tougher penalties for illegal gun use, will protect communities all over the state. Our strong gun safety laws are the reason why New York has the fourth lowest gun death rate in the nation."
New Yorkers Against Gun Violence (NYAGV) is a statewide advocacy group working to reduce gun violence through advocacy and education designed to encourage action, influence public opinion and lead to policy change. With a primary focus on New York State, the organization also advocates at the local and national levels for sensible gun laws, policies and practices that protect New York state residents from gun violence.