New York acted. Will Washington?

New York acted. Will Washington? New York recently strengthened its gun laws. Washington should follow its lead. Dear Friend, I'm writing to share important news: Last week Governor Andrew Cuomo signed six new gun safety laws that NYAGV advocated for over many years. We're grateful to Governor Cuomo and the State Legislature for having the leadership and courage to take action and save lives. Washington needs to follow New York's lead. Our state is a leader in strong gun laws--and that's why we have one of the lowest rates of gun deaths in the country. The laws recently enacted include a child access prevention law to prevent unintentional shootings, teen suicides, school shootings, and gun thefts; an extension of the time period allowed for background checks; and bans on bump stocks and 3-D printed guns. (More details on the new laws below!) And already on the books, our state bans assault weapons and high-capacity magazines--measures that if enacted on the federal level, would have helped prevent many of the mass shootings we've witnessed over the last few days, weeks, and years across the country. Mass shootings are a tragedy--as is the daily gun violence that affects underserved communities and doesn't always make the news. Guns continue to be trafficked into New York's communities from weak-gun-law states--targeting our marginalized communities of color. To reduce gun crimes in New York and across the country, we need federal gun laws that strengthen background checks, ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, and remove guns from those who are a danger to themselves or others. Washington must take action to protect all Americans. Please demand it today! Call the President at 202-456-1111 or 202-456-1414 or email him here.  Call Mitch McConnell--who had repeatedly blocked consideration of any common sense gun laws--at (202) 224-2541 or email him here. We still have work to do to protect our communities and families and we are grateful for your support.  Thank you. Sincerely, Rebecca Fischer, Executive Director New York State laws recently enacted: Safe Storage/Child Access Prevention—requires gun owners who live with children, or who know a child could gain access, to safely store their weapons when not in their immediate possession or control. Ban on Undetectable “Ghost” Guns—Bans the manufacturing, sale, transport, and possession of firearms, rifles, shotguns, and the major components of 3-D printed guns and other weapons undetectable by X-ray machines. Background Check Extensions—Extends the number of days from three to 30 days allowed for law enforcement to complete a background check. Bump Stock Ban–Prohibits the possession, manufacture, transport and disposition of rapid-fire modification devices, also known as “bump stocks." Ban on Arming Educators–Prohibits schools (K-12) from arming teachers, administrators, or other persons not primarily employed as a school resource officer, law enforcement officer, or security officer. Gun Buyback Program -- Directs the New York State Police to develop a statewide standard for gun buyback programs. Earlier this year, the state also enacted the Extreme Risk "Red Flag" Protection Order Law ("ERPO") to temporarily remove guns from individuals who have demonstrated they are a danger to themselves or others. Click here for further details on these new laws. Click here for information on NYAGV's new summer youth education programs to reduce gun violence.

www.nyagv.org

The Truth About Suicide and Guns

The Truth About Suicide and Guns - Special National Physicians Alliance Webinar from 2015

Available on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbGGuDPPCQM

Governor Cuomo Signs Extreme Risk Protection Order "Red Flag" Legislation To Prevent Gun Violence

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Rebecca Fischer, Executive Director, New Yorkers Against Gun Violence, rfischer@nyagv.org, 212-679-2345 New Yorkers Against Gun Violence Applauds Governor Cuomo for signing Extreme Risk Protection Order Legislation To Prevent Gun Violence --Governor Cuomo Signs Law Empowering Family Members, School Officials, and Law Enforcement to Petition Courts to Remove Firearms from Individuals in Crisis -- Gov. Andrew Cuomo, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sign the ‘Red Flag Bill’ on Feb. 25, 2018. (credit: CBSN New York) New York, NY--February 25, 2019 - Today, New Yorkers Against Gun Violence (NYAGV), a statewide advocacy organization, applauded Governor Andrew Cuomo for signing New York’s Extreme Risk (“Red Flag”) Protection Order legislation into law, which establishes a court process for removing firearms from individuals who pose a serious threat to themselves or others. The bill passed both houses of the legislature with bipartisan support on January 29. Rebecca Fischer, NYAGV Executive Director, who stood with Governor Cuomo at the signing ceremony in New York City, stated, “Today, New York State has again made it a priority to protect our communities by enacting this life-saving gun violence prevention law.  Our children should be able to learn without the fear of gun violence in their classrooms.  Governor Cuomo and the legislature recognize that to keep New Yorkers safe, family, school officials, and law enforcement need a tool to remove guns from people in crisis. New York’s Extreme Risk Protection Order law will help prevent gun violence and protect our communities, schools, and homes.” Additional measures passed by the State Legislature in January that await the Governor’s signature include: extending the background check period, a ban on arming educators, a ban on bump stocks, a statewide gun buyback program, and authorization to check out-of-state mental health records of gun permit applicants. About Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPO/“Red Flag” Law) --  S2451 (Kavanagh) / A2689 (Simon):   In many cases of gun violence -- including mass shootings, interpersonal violence, and suicide -- the shooter’s family members or school officials see warning signs before the fatal act of gun violence occurs. However, they often feel powerless, and are unable to intervene -- even with law enforcement support -- before tragedy occurs. ERPO addresses this gap and creates a legal framework that respects due process and each individual’s rights while preventing gun violence. If, upon a petition from a family member, school official, or law enforcement official, a court finds the individual is likely to harm him- or herself or others, the judge may issue an initial ERPO, and the individual will be required to surrender any guns to the proper authorities and will be prohibited from purchasing guns. After a second hearing, the judge may extend the order for up to a year -- at which point it will expire, unless a petition is filed to renew the order. Those subject to ERPOs will have an opportunity during the year-long ERPO period to petition the court and present evidence as to why the order should be lifted. If the order expires and is not renewed or if the order is lifted, guns surrendered will be returned to the individual and all records of the proceedings will be sealed. During 2018 and 2019, New Yorkers Against Gun Violence educated and organized communities across New York State and led a coalition of legislators, advocates, law enforcement, students, educators, faith leaders, and healthcare professionals to urge passage of New York’s Extreme Risk Protection Order law. New Yorkers Against Gun Violence 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 programs that protect New York State residents from gun violence. www.nyagv.org     #####

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