Yesterday’s fatal shooting has left an echo of devastation across the nation. Both Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams made remarks today about the horrific event and how action must be taken to prevent another tragedy as a result of gun violence.
At a meeting of the Interstate Task Force on Illegal Guns today, Governor Hochul commented on the subject, suggesting a potential increase to the age requirement for purchasing a gun.
She offered words of solace and frustration, as she spoke about plans of action to come. “I want state police patrols visiting our schools, doing daily check-ins, every single day from today until the end of the school year…I want a law change that requires all New York State law enforcement agencies to report the recovery of any gun to our State Agency Police Clearinghouse within 24 hours,” said Governor Hochul.
Here in New York, we're confronting the gun violence epidemic head-on.
We're strengthening the toughest laws in the country.
We're giving law enforcement the resources they need to get guns off the street & keep people safe.
We'll keep doing whatever it takes to save lives.— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) May 25, 2022
The gunman responsible for killing at least 19 children and 2 teachers on Tuesday was 18 years old, the same age as the perpetrator from Buffalo’s tragic shooting only weeks prior.
“How does an 18-year-old purchase an AR-15 in the State of New York, State of Texas?,” begged Hochul. “That person’s not old enough to buy a legal drink. I want to work with the legislature to change that. I want it to be 21.”
With age being the common denominator she said, “I don’t want 18-year-olds to have guns at least not in the State of New York.”
She assures to do all she can in cooperation with legislators to do more and prevent further gun violence in New York. Interstate Taskforce has already seized 60% more guns/month than in years past. “That is a good dynamic. Although it would be nice to get to a point where we don’t have the guns to seize,” said Governor Hochul.
Read the rest of her remarks from today here.