MAYOR GIULIANI SIGNS "TRIGGER LOCK" BILL THAT MAKES UNLAWFUL THE SALE OF GUNS WITHOUT A SAFETY LOCK DEVICE
--Remarks By Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani At Public Hearing On Local Laws--
The last bill before me today is Introductory Number 69-A, sponsored by Speaker Vallone, Council Member Leffler and a number of their colleagues. This bill would amend the Administrative Code of the City of New York in relation to prohibiting the sale of a pistol or revolver without a safety locking device. Specifically, this proposed local law would make it unlawful for any person or business to sell or otherwise dispose of any pistol or revolver that is not accompanied by a safety locking device.
A safety locking device is defined as a design adaptation or attachable accessory that would prevent the use of the weapon by an unauthorized person. Licensed manufacturers, importers, or dealers of guns would also be required to include a warning regarding the use of safety locking devices and responsible firearm storage. Finally, the Police Commissioner would be empowered to promulgate rules establishing standards for safety locking devices, and provide information with regard to any legal requirements and the use of safety locking devices to persons applying for a new gun permit. A violation of this law would be triable in criminal court and would be punishable by a fine of not more than $500 and/or by imprisonment of not more than 30 days.
Each year many lives are lost because of gun-related violence, including accidental shootings in homes by children and other unauthorized persons who unlawfully gain access to weapons. The issue of gun safety and responsibility, especially in the home, needs to be brought to the attention of the general public in order to reduce the number of violent and accidental deaths caused by guns.
While the intended goal of this legislation is laudable and the passage of this bill by the City Council is a step in the right direction, it clearly does not go far enough. As written, Introductory Number 69-A does not mandate that the owner of the gun actually use the safety device once it is purchased along with the gun. Moreover, the bill only requires the purchase of safety devices for guns that are sold after the enactment date of the law, thus exempting over 250,000 (two hundred and fifty thousand) licensed guns currently in existence.
To address the deficiencies of Introductory Number 69-A, I am proud to announce that I will be introducing legislation to the City Council today that would incorporate the suggestions my Administration provided the Council during the bill's deliberations.
This new legislation would:
- provide a mechanism to ensure that all licensed gun owners in existence in the City of New York be required to purchase safety devices upon the renewal of their gun permit; and
- establish incentives for the owner of a gun to use a safety locking device through the use of criminal penalties and the revocation of gun permits for the non-use of the device.
For the reasons previously stated, I will now sign the bill.
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