Legislation Signed in New York to Prevent Dangerously Mentally Ill People from Obtaining Firearms

Governor Andrew Cuomo today signed legislation (S.2438/A.1213) closing a loophole to give law enforcement access to out-of-state records to help prevent the dangerously mentally ill from obtaining a firearm license in New York. Under current law, individuals can apply for a firearm license in the county in which they reside, regardless of the location of the individual's permanent residence. Before a firearm license is issued, individuals must submit to a background check, but current rules often prevent access to out-of-state records pertaining to people who are dangerously mentally ill, and the National Instant Criminal Background Check System only flags people who have been involuntarily committed.As a result, the current system does not prevent dangerously mentally ill people who have not been involuntarily committed from applying for a firearm license in New York - this new law closes that loophole. Additionally the Governor signed a measure allowing local and state law enforcement officers more access to an individual's information on a firearm license application (S.6160/A.7739). 

This legislation builds on the strongest gun laws in the nation, including the SAFE Act, the Red Flag law - which went into effect August 24 and prevents individuals who show signs of being a threat to themselves or others from purchasing or possessing a firearm - and legislation Governor Cuomo signed this year extending the background check waiting period and banning bump stocks.

"While Washington stands idly by and allows a gun violence epidemic to tear our nation apart at the seams, causing more and more families to grieve and children to grow up without their parents, New York is leading the way and enacting smart, common sense gun safety laws to help prevent these needless tragedies," Governor Cuomo said. "These measures continue to build on our nation-leading gun laws by helping keep guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals and providing law enforcement with the tools and knowledge they need to keep our communities safe from situations that may involve a deadly firearm."

Click here for the full announcement.

Source: The Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo