Measures will help reduce gun violence but Congressional action on gun safety legislation is urgently needed for greater effectiveness
(New York City, NY) NYAGV applauds today’s announcement by the White House of two new common sense executive actions to keep dangerous firearms out of the wrong hands and ban nearly all re-imports of military surplus firearms as small but important steps that will enhance gun safety. But Congressional action on gun safety is urgently needed to have a more substantial impact on America’s gun violence epidemic.
The first executive action closes a loophole that enabled felons, domestic abusers and the seriously mentally ill to obtain firearms by registering the weapon to a trust or corporation. The new rule will require persons associated with such trusts or corporations to undergo a background check. The second action will deny requests to bring military-grade firearms back into the US to private entities with only a few exceptions such as for museums. This will keep military weapons like machine guns off our streets.
Leah Gunn Barrett, Executive Director of New Yorkers Against Gun Violence said, “The Administration is honoring its pledge to do all it can to reduce gun violence in America. But Congress has failed to enact a single piece of gun safety legislation since the tragic Newtown massacre over eight months ago. By refusing to pass even background checks for commercial gun sales, Congress is enabling criminals, the mentally ill and terrorists to continue to purchase firearms, endangering our children and the safety of our communities.”
Barrett added, “Rather than looking to the gun lobby, Congress should look to states like New York – which this year passed the New York SAFE Act that includes background checks on all gun sales – as a model for gun safety.”
About New Yorkers Against Gun Violence
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.
