In January 2013, New York fired a significant salvo toward tougher gun laws when the state passed a stricter assault weapons ban and measures designed to stop mentally ill citizens who make threats from acquiring guns.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo lobbied hard for the bill, which passed both houses a little more than a month after the horrific school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut.
"This is a scourge on society," Cuomo said at a news conference. "At what point do you say, 'No more innocent loss of life'?"
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In New York City, the Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice passed the nation's first local Gun Offender Registration Act, which allows convicted gun felons to be monitored by the NYPD for four years upon release. Baltimore, Maryland, and Utica, New York, have since implemented similar programs, with other cities also considering such an approach.
New York City already imposes a mandatory minimum sentence of three and a half years for carrying a loaded illegal handgun.
Beyond legislation, MOCJ has gone national to fight illegal gun trafficking. Former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg and late Boston Mayor Tom Menino founded the now 500-mayors-strong coalition, Mayors Against Illegal Guns.
Getting a permit for a handgun license in NYC is extensive and takes between three to six months, while also being costly. Multiple forms of original identification are also required.
As part of the application process, an interview is required, with standard questions like: "Why do you want a gun," "Where will you store the gun," and "Have you ever owned a gun?
This article does not constitute legal advice. Check the current local gun laws and those of any destination before travel.
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