Largest Seizure of Illegal Guns in New York City History Underscores Need for Strong Federal Gun Laws
(New York City, NY) Today’s announcement that the NYPD has seized 250 illegal guns, the largest cache in the city’s history, highlights the need for strong federal gun safety laws starting with background checks on all gun sales and tougher penalties for gun trafficking. Shamefully, these common sense measures failed in the Senate last April despite overwhelming support from the American people.
A staggering 90% of crime guns recovered in New York City comes from states with weak gun laws. The indictment announced today identifies that the seized guns came from North and South Carolina, two states with weak gun laws. Not surprisingly, these two states are, respectively, the second and third largest suppliers of crime guns into New York. In addition to exporting guns to New York, North and South Carolina suffer from significantly higher gun death rates than does New York.
Criminals like those indicted today know that weak state laws allow them to peddle guns for profit into states like New York. Until Congress acts, New Yorkers will be at the mercy of criminals who will flood our streets with weapons that end up killing and injuring our citizens.
Leah Gunn Barrett, Executive Director of New Yorkers Against Gun Violence said, “Weak federal gun laws have a direct and dangerous impact on New Yorkers. But we are not the only victims. Citizens in states with weak gun laws are killed and injured at even higher rates from gun violence. Congress needs to do its job and stop pandering to the gun lobby, to protect all Americans by enacting common sense gun safety laws now.”
About New Yorkers Against Gun Violence
New Yorkers Against Gun VIolence (NYAG) 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.
