Gillibrand Backs Bill To Battle Illegal Gun Sales
Filed Under:corrupt gun deals, Glenn Schuck, Gun Trafficking Prevention Act, illegal arms flow, illegal gun sales, New York, New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Sophia Hall
Sen. Kristen Gillibrand (Photo: Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty Images)
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) — U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand announced Sunday that she's backing a bill that aims to crack down on corrupt gun dealers and eliminate the flow of illegal guns into New York.
"This legislation makes it crystal clear that these people are criminals and that they should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," Gillibrand said.
Almost 90 percent of the firearms used in New York City gun crimes come from out of state, and most of those guns are illegal, said Gillibrand, who plans to introduce the Gun Trafficking Prevention Act this week.
LISTEN: 1010 WINS' Glenn Schuck reports https://newyork.cbslocal.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/14578484/2011/12/1355858.mp3
"Congress must make it illegal to traffic weapons from the person who buys the gun from the dealer to the person illegally selling the gun out of the drunk of his car to the kingpin who organizes the entire network," Gillibrand said. "This must be deemed as criminal activity."
It comes on the heels of an undercover probe into gun shows by New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. Investigators found an open marketplace for illegal weapons, with sellers disregarding mandatory background checks.
LISTEN: WCBS 880's Sophia Hall reports https://newyork.cbslocal.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/14578484/2011/12/1355858.mp3
The probe also revealed a loophole in the law that holds the individual gun seller legally accountable but not the gun show operator. The legislation would close the nation's "gun show loophole" and keep operators responsible.
"The Attorney General's critical investigation shows just how easy it is for guns to end up in the hands of dangerous people," Gillibrand said in a statement. "By cracking down on gun dealers who blatantly disobey the law as well as illegal gun traffickers and their vast criminal networks, we can reduce gun violence and keep our families and neighborhoods safe."
The undercover operation led to criminal charges against 10 New York gun dealers.
Schneiderman said the probe "confirmed what too many already know: In America, guns are freely available to all, regardless of criminal history or other prohibitive factors."
Jackie Hilly from New Yorkers Against Gun Violence said the country needs tougher gun laws.
"There was a 2-year-old who was shot in his car seat on his way home from Easter Sunday Mass, there was a 15-year-old shot on her way home from school–she was critically injured," Hilly said.
The new bill toughens penalties, making such sales a crime and suspending a dealer's license.
Traffickers could face up to 20 years in prison. Kingpins who organize gun trafficking rings would be subject to an additional sentence of potentially five consecutive years in prison. And penalties could increase depending on the number of guns trafficked.
In addition, individuals engaged in a conspiracy to traffic guns would be punished equally to those who actually traffic a gun.
Corrupt dealers would be subject to a license suspension of up to six months and a fine of up to $2,500 per violation.
What do you think of this new bill? Tell us your thoughts in the comments section below.
(TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
BigAppleGuy says:
The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution protects the right of the people to keep and bear arms. It is the SECOND amendment for a REASON. Only your right to free speech and assembly was more important to our founding fathers (and I havent heard of any modern politicians who were smarter or more virtuous then they were).
Make guns illegal for law-abiding citizens and only criminals will have guns.
Cos says:
For those who question the motives of this new bill, do some research into Operation: Fast & Furious. Very few news agencies have reported on this and the ones that haven't should be ashamed of themselves. It plays into this nonsense law they are trying to pass…
Amtracmarine says:
Isn't it already againist the law purchase a gunwithou a permit??? What good will another law do if it's not enforced?? The funny thing is that most people crying for a new law were also crying to free that woman that shot her abusive husband in the back with an illegal gun. You can't have it both ways people.
Mike Sneller says:
Don't waste your time blogging about something you clearly know absolutely nothing about. And learn to spell, as well.
N Y P DrP I G S says:
I fart on NYPD
Off Duty says:
Bad trip at Rikers, eh?
NYC42A says:
Utterly ridiculous. Why don't they put the criminals who commit violent crimes in jail for twenty years or more. The number of violent crimes in NYC alone are astounding but when you combine the numbers with the number of good hardworking people, NYC becomes one of the safest cities in the country. Nothing can be further from the truth. Guns are a scapegoat to deflect the incompetence of politicians to get at the root of the problem which is the criminal themselves.
Vernon Hell says:
The NRA will kill this bill. Why? Because their agenda is to dismantle and/or subvert state and local laws that limit guns and their availability in any way. I would love to see NRA officials shot through the head with illegal guns. That would really be rich!
Those who want to impose gun control are usually the ones that see others as a reflection of themselves. Your statement to shoot people in the head if proof of that. Thank God you are in the minority.
Burnin Hell….How does one even begin to reason with a person like you? To read your vile post has only served to remind the sane majority that funding for insane asylums must be maintained.
That's it…..Maybe Sen. Gillibrand can apply her energies to putting violent persons like you in padded cells.
The Facts says:
You have misrepresented the position of the NRA which actually advocates the strict enforcement of our nation's gun laws against violent criminals.
Vernon, did you work and study to get so stupid? Or has it just come naturally for you?
How about her 'battling' illegal aliens—more of a threat to the USA than guns could ever be.
Javier Perez says:
Ban the Democrats not the guns.
man from old ways says:
we have laws inforce the ones we have instead of making a smoke screen because you cant inforce the laws we have now
Accountable gun owners says:
No worries if you get arrested in Brooklyn, NY. DA's office is Joke. that is if your a city worker or celebrity, then you get the book thrown at you.
Games glorify violence says:
On-line games GLORIFY guns and violence, so yes, drastic times require drastic measures.
EWagner635 says:
Have you ever watched a childs cartoon on TV? Or did you just want to make some anti-gun statement you thought would sound incitful?
I see you says:
What Schumer's puppet, uh, I mean Senator Gillenbrand is talking about is already illegal. She knows it, Chuck Schumer knows it, and we know it. Another thing she's copied from Schumer is that smirk of someone trying to usurp our rights, based on the pic.
Mr. Schwartz: The federal government cannot order states to change their laws. The very idea of this is exactly why the federal government should not be redistributing money among the states. I know they did this with the drinking age and highway funding. It's extraconstitutional and wrong. But look who lost out: Drinkers under 21. No one cared. There's also this little thing called the bill of rights, but if you're not taking the Christmas tree out of the town square, I'm sure you don't care about THAT old parchment.
Veteran says:
I agree with the comment left by "off duty" this post says it all. In all the years I have purchased "legal" firearms at "Gun Shows" I "ALWAYS" had to fill out the "Federal Paperwork" and follow the "Pistol Permit requirements" of my state, which included "fingerprinting, and mental background checks and at least 2 personal references. Criminals DO NOT purchase firearms at Gun Shows! They buy "Stolen Guns" out of their "buddy's" trunk!
CBS….You want to know what I think of this article? Firstly, I think it's time for CBS to hire another proof-reader to proof what the first one failed to find. It is not enough to just use "spell-check".
Second? I think Ms. Toady/Gillibrand is merely supporting her boss "up-chuck schumer's" war on the Second Amendment. Her transparent argument echoing that "The Attorney General's critical investigation shows just how easy it is for guns to end up in the hands of dangerous people", not only betrays her loony-leftist politics, it reduces all the other New York State gun laws suspect.
I've got another perspective for you Ms. Gillibrand…..Why don't you look at how many people you and your misfit colleagues have left unable to defend themselves against "dangerous people"? As if "dangerous people" are going to listen to anything you say.
Larry Schwarz says:
I agree the Sen.I think the Federal Govt needs to step in here.Order these states to change their gun laws or risk loosing govt aid.
The 38 states that have shall issue carry licenses have seen a reduction in crime while NYC with its incredibly restrictive gun laws has seen an increase in crime. If you are an intelligent man please ponder this question. Is this rant on gun control aimed at actually reducing crime or as a diversion to defect blame for not controlling violent crimes?
Chuck's Little Girl says:
What a Twitt!!