SISFI's Special Feature on the NY SAFE Act

Mr. Brett A. Scudder hosts a 2hrs special on the NY SAFE Act (Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act) to bring awareness to the bill and what it means for our communities across the state. We have major concerns with the mental health impacts of the bill and will be discussing them. We invited legislators, advocates, community leaders, clergy and people to join us on the call and we look forward to what they will bring to the discussion. The Governor should have consulted with other groups on this and if he did, they certainly didn't understand the implication of their decision.

The legislation includes provisions to keep guns out of the hands of convicted felons and potentially dangerous mental health patients, and ban high capacity magazines and assault weapons.

Under the legislation, New York will be the first state in the nation to ban any magazine that can hold more than seven rounds and run instant background checks on all ammunition purchases at the time of sale. The legislation will allow authorities to track ammunition purchases in real time to alert law enforcement to high volume buys, and will include a statewide standard requiring recertification of pistol permits every five years. The legislation also closes a private sale loophole to ensure all gun purchases are subject to a background check, and toughens criminal penalties on those who use illegal guns.

"The new law will limit gun violence through common sense, reasonable reforms that include addressing the risks posed by mentally ill people who have access to guns and banning high capacity magazines and lethal assault weapons," Governor Cuomo said. "This legislation is not about hunters, sportsmen, or legal owners who use their guns appropriately. It is about reducing gun violence and making New York a safer place to live. I thank leadership of both the Assembly and Senate for their action on this important legislation."