Kathy Hochul on Gun Control

	Kathy Hochul on Gun Control

Prevent handguns from being turned into machine guns

S07365: Prevent the installation and use of a pistol converter.

Everytown for Gun Safety (in favor, 10.9.2024) Legislation to update New York's landmark gun industry accountability law to explicitly require firearm manufacturers to take steps to ensure their handguns cannot be easily turned into machine guns with Glock switches.

Oregon NPR (opposing view, May 18 2024) [A spokesman for] NSSF, the firearm industry trade association, says the legislation appears to be directed at Glock. But it "would essentially ban not just Glocks, but nearly all striker-fired handguns," because of its vague language, he says. He notes that many police departments--including NYC's--use Glocks because of their reputation for reliability. He says if Glock is forced to retool its semi-automatic pistols, that reliability could be compromised.

Legislative outcome Passed Senate 48-13-2 on Jun/6; Passed Assembly 97-44-9 on Jun/8; signed by Gov. Hochul on Oct/9/24.

Source: Oregon NPR on New York State voting records S07365 , Oct 9, 2024

Developed new strategies to deal with rise in gun violence

The pervasive unease that wormed its way into our day-to-day lives, the social isolation and the economic distress, led to a nationwide rise in crime and gun violence that we are now combatting. To respond, we developed new strategies and invested in new programs.

Strengthening our gun violence prevention laws by passing even stronger ones and closing loopholes.
Banning ghost guns and expanding bail eligibility for gun crimes. Tougher prosecutions of gun trafficking.
Mandating the use of Red Flag law leading to more than 5,000 cases where we kept guns out of the hands of people who shouldn't have them and kept innocent people from being hurt.
Raising the minimum age to 21 to purchase semi-automatic weapons.
Launching a first-in-the-nation 9 state task force on illegal guns which took more than 10,000 illegal guns off our streets this past year.
And tripling our investments in gun violence interruption programs.

Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the New York legislature , Jan 10, 2023

Raise the age to buy semiautomatic rifle to 21

Summary by Speaker Carl Heastie: SB9458 requires a license to purchase or take possession of a semiautomatic rifle; establishes the crimes of criminal purchase/sale of a semiautomatic rifle; requires recertification of licenses to purchase or take possession of a semiautomatic rifle every five years.

Press release by Gov. Hochul (6/6/22) Under preexisting NY law, individuals must be 21 years or older to acquire a gun license. Package also strengthens crime reporting; closes "other gun" loophole; requires microstamping of new semiautomatic pistols; eliminates grandfathering of high-capacity feeding devices; requires social media companies to improve response to and reporting of hateful content.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Assembly 102-47-1 on Jun/2/22; Mike Lawler voted NO; passed Senate 43-20-0 on Jun/2/22; Signed by Governor Kathy Hochul on Jun/6/22.

Source: NY State Legislature voting records S.9458/A.10503 , Jun 6, 2022

Illegal guns are from out of state; need a national response

HOCHUL: In the state of New York, what he was able to buy was an AR-15, but he was able to enhance the magazine capacity. You can't have that many rounds purchased legally here in New York. But you just go over to Pennsylvania. Go to a gun show. This is why I started a nine state gun interjection task force because we know most of the illegal guns being used on the streets of New York City and now on the streets of Buffalo are coming from out of state. We need a national response. Source: Meet the Press on 2022 New York Governor race , May 15, 2022

Double down on strategies to combat gun violence

We will double down on practical, proven law enforcement strategies to combat gun violence. Working with Mayor Adams and the Lieutenant Governor we will form a new consortium between the New York State Police, the NYPD and other law enforcement agencies, including neighboring states to trace guns used in crimes and stop the flow of guns into our State. We will triple the resources for both our gun-tracing efforts as well as for successful community-based programs. Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the New York legislature , Jan 5, 2022

State senate too afraid of NRA to vote on "red flag" bill

Hochul ratcheted up the pressure on the state Senate, claiming legislators were too "afraid" of the NRA to vote on a proposed gun control bill. The bill, dubbed the "red flag" bill, will give teachers, school officials, family members and police officers the right to petition judges if they believe someone who has access to guns is dangerous. "It's a simple common-sense measure that will save the lives of students," Hochul said. Source: N.Y. Daily News on 2022 New York gubernatorial race , Jun 19, 2018

Top rating from National Rifle Association

Hochul has taken strong stances that [gubernatorial opponent Zephyr] Teachout said are anathema to New York Democrats. Hochul has a top rating from the National Rifle Association and has boasted of her opposition to Eliot Spitzer's proposal for driver licenses for undocumented immigrants in New York City. Hochul has taken strong stances that [gubernatorial opponent Zephyr] Teachout said are anathema to New York Democrats. Hochul has a top rating from the National Rifle Association and has boasted of her opposition to Eliot Spitzer's proposal for driver licenses for undocumented immigrants in New York City. Source: Epoch Times on 2014 New York State Governor's race , Jul 8, 2014

Streamlined the Pistol Permit process

Advocated for consumers by partnering with the New York State Attorney General to alert the public to a fake DMV website and "deed scam."
Streamlined the Pistol Permit process.
Aggressively promoted the Enhanced Driver's License, making Erie County number one in the state in issuing EDLs to help cross-border crossing into Canada, generating over one million in revenue for county taxpayers.

Source: 2012 House campaign website, kathyhochul.com/Accomplishments , May 24, 2011

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