ALBANY, N.Y. AEUR” New York’s legislature voted to ban anyone younger than 21 from purchasing or possessing semi-automatic guns. This is a significant change to state firearm laws that was passed less than three weeks after an 18 year old used one of these guns to kill 10 people in a Buffalo supermarket.
The most important part of a set of gun control measures that Gov. and Democratic legislators announced earlier this week, is the bill to raise the age limit. Kathy Hochul.
Another new law will limit civilian purchases of bullet resistant armor, as was used by the Buffalo killer, and mandate that new guns be fitted with microstamping technology to aid law enforcement investigators in tracing bullets to specific firearms.
The Senate passed the age limit bill along party lines, 43-20 and in the Assembly, 102-47. Hochul will now sign the bill.
New York already requires that people be 21 years old to own a handgun. Under the new law, younger people will still be permitted to own other types of rifles or shotguns but they would not be able to purchase the fast-firing rifles used in the massacres at Texas elementary schools and in Buffalo.
The bill will raise the legal age for purchasing semi-automatic weapons to 21. It also requires anyone who purchases a semiautomatic weapon to obtain a license (aEUR), something that is not required for handguns.
Many Republicans opposed new gun restrictions, saying they would be inconvenient for law-abiding firearm owners. However, people who want weapons could easily bypass them.
Senator Gustavo Rivera, a Bronx Democrat said he was not afraid to overcome obstacles.
He said, “It’s meant to be a hassle for those people who might want their hands on something with which to mass murder people.”
The change in the age limit would have a major impact on areas outside New York City. New York City already requires permits to possess and carry any type of firearm, and bans applicants younger than 21.
New York joins a few states that aEUR” require buyers to be at minimum 21 to buy certain types of long guns. Utah has also proposed similar legislation.
Expect legal battles over the legislation. The New York law that limits who can obtain a handgun licence is the subject of a lawsuit before the U.S. Supreme Court.
California’s attempts to increase the legal age of semi-automatic weapons was also challenged.
A U.S. appeals court panel from Northern California ruled that the ban on selling semi-automatic weapons to anyone under 21 years old was unconstitutional. The two judges who ruled in the majority were part of Republican President Donald Trump’s wave of conservative-approved nominees that reshaped the famously liberal court.
The National Rifle Association also challenges Florida’s ban on adults under 21 selling rifles or other firearms. This was in response to a shooting at Parkland High School in 2018 that resulted in 17 deaths.
Semi-automatic rifles load each bullet automatically after firing. However, firing each round requires that you pull the trigger. Mass murderers can kill more people quickly with this rifle.
People as young as 16 were allowed to possess long guns such as rifles or shotguns in New York without a permit. However, they must be at least 18 to purchase one from a federally licensed firearms dealer.
Senator Alexis Weik of Long Island, a Republican, said that an 18-year-old could still travel to another country and purchase a semiautomatic rifle.
Senator Kevin Thomas, a Long Island Democrat, was one of the bill’s sponsor. That’s what’s necessary.”
New York legislators also passed legislation that expanded the number of people who could apply for an extremity risk protection order. This is a court order that temporarily bans someone from possessing or purchasing a firearm if they pose a threat to others or themselves.
“Even though we are taking action to protect New Yorkers we also recognize that this is an international problem. I urge Congress once more to seize the moment and pass effective gun violence prevention measures. Hochul stated in a statement that there is no time to waste.
