Lawmakers also passed a bill banning civilians from buying bulletproof vests unless people are working in law enforcement or other specific professions. Another bill passed by lawmakers would expand the “red flag” law, expanding the list of people who can apply for extreme risk protection orders, which allow courts to temporarily confiscate firearms from anyone believed to be it poses a danger to them or to others. The measures were expected to pass in the Democratic-controlled state Senate and Assembly after they were announced by Gov. Kathy Hochul on Tuesday. Hochul, a Democrat, has indicated she will sign the bills, and CNN has contacted Hochul’s office for more details. The approval of the bill comes almost three weeks after 10 people were killed in racial shootings at a Buffalo supermarket and as the nation faces a series of massive shootings since this has amplified lawsuits of stricter weapons. New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said in passing the package of 10 bills: “We are sending a message that this path of armed violence is unacceptable and we need real change. “, in a tweet on Thursday.
Hochul thanked members of the Senate and the State Assembly for their work.
“We cannot be satisfied with New York’s already tough gun laws,” Hochul said in a statement. “The firing after the firing makes it clear that they need to be even stronger to keep New Yorkers safe. This complete package will close gaps, give law enforcement the tools they need to prevent easy access to weapons and stop the gun. sale of dangerous weapons to 18 … year olds “.
Hochul also urged Congress to pass “significant measures to prevent armed violence.”
“While we are taking steps to protect New Yorkers, we recognize that this is a national issue. I urge Congress once again to seize this moment and pass significant measures to prevent armed violence,” he said. “We don’t have time to waste.”
Discussions are underway over a federal response between members of Congress, with the Democratic-controlled House seeking to pass a comprehensive bill that has little chance of passing a uniformly controlled Senate, and North Senators. Americans talk about strengthening the state’s red flag laws.
CNN’s Liam Reilly and Chandelis Duster contributed to this report.