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New York City Council passes legislation on liability of gun manufacturers, dealers
By SAM DOLNICK
Associated Press Writer
NEW YORK (AP) -- The City Council on Wednesday overwhelmingly passed legislation that would allow crime victims to sue gun manufacturers and dealers who do not follow a set of selling and distribution guidelines.
The sponsors of the gun safety package say that by restricting and punishing members of the gun industry, New York's streets will see significantly less gun violence.
"Starting today, if they don't clean up their act, they're going to face stiff penalties in courts of law and have to pay compensation to the victims," said Councilman David Yassky, the legislation's main sponsor.
Guns used in New York crimes are usually bought in bulk in states with lax gun laws and then resold in the city on the black market, said Yassky, a Brooklyn Democrat. The new legislation, passed 43-2, aims to discourage that practice by holding liable dealers anywhere in the country who sell more than one gun to the same person within 30 days.
The mayor said Wednesday the legislation would "help immeasurably" in keeping the city safe and he would sign it into law.
A similar bill is pending in the state Legislature in Albany.
Firearms dealers and manufacturers can opt not to follow the guidelines, but the legislation would hold them legally responsible if one of their guns resulted in an injury or death in New York.
Other aspects of the package include a gun safety provision, passed 41-4, that increases the fine from $10,000 to $25,000 for anyone using assault weapons.
The City Council also voted 43-2 to raise the minimum age for rifle and shotgun permits from 18 to 21.
A fourth provision, passed 41-4, restricts dealers from selling more than one rifle or shotgun to an individual within 90 days.
The executive director of New Yorkers Against Gun Violence, Andy Pelosi, said more than 85 percent of guns used in city crimes come from out of state and "too many dealers go ahead and make the sale and too many manufacturers encourage this practice."
"It's past time for these companies to take responsibility for their lethal product and work to ensure guns land in responsible hands," Pelosi said.
But the president of the New York State Rifle and Pistol Association, Tom King, called the bills "ludicrous" and said it was wrong to hold the gun industry responsible for criminals' actions.
"Are they going to hold GM liable because one of their cars was used in an illegal fashion?" King said. "It's absolutely misplaced."
King said it was too soon to tell whether lawsuits would be filed fighting the legislation.
Republican Mayor Michael Bloomberg congratulated the City Council after the votes and said the legislation would "help prevent dangerous weapons from being used on our citizens."
Council Speaker Gifford Miller, a Manhattan Democrat, had a warning for violators: "You can't flood our streets with guns and expect to do it without repercussions."
© 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Learn more about our Privacy Policy.
New York City Council passes legislation on liability of gun manufacturers, dealers
By SAM DOLNICK
Associated Press Writer
NEW YORK (AP) -- The City Council on Wednesday overwhelmingly passed legislation that would allow crime victims to sue gun manufacturers and dealers who do not follow a set of selling and distribution guidelines.
The sponsors of the gun safety package say that by restricting and punishing members of the gun industry, New York's streets will see significantly less gun violence.
"Starting today, if they don't clean up their act, they're going to face stiff penalties in courts of law and have to pay compensation to the victims," said Councilman David Yassky, the legislation's main sponsor.
Guns used in New York crimes are usually bought in bulk in states with lax gun laws and then resold in the city on the black market, said Yassky, a Brooklyn Democrat. The new legislation, passed 43-2, aims to discourage that practice by holding liable dealers anywhere in the country who sell more than one gun to the same person within 30 days.
The mayor said Wednesday the legislation would "help immeasurably" in keeping the city safe and he would sign it into law.
A similar bill is pending in the state Legislature in Albany.
Firearms dealers and manufacturers can opt not to follow the guidelines, but the legislation would hold them legally responsible if one of their guns resulted in an injury or death in New York.
Other aspects of the package include a gun safety provision, passed 41-4, that increases the fine from $10,000 to $25,000 for anyone using assault weapons.
The City Council also voted 43-2 to raise the minimum age for rifle and shotgun permits from 18 to 21.
A fourth provision, passed 41-4, restricts dealers from selling more than one rifle or shotgun to an individual within 90 days.
The executive director of New Yorkers Against Gun Violence, Andy Pelosi, said more than 85 percent of guns used in city crimes come from out of state and "too many dealers go ahead and make the sale and too many manufacturers encourage this practice."
"It's past time for these companies to take responsibility for their lethal product and work to ensure guns land in responsible hands," Pelosi said.
But the president of the New York State Rifle and Pistol Association, Tom King, called the bills "ludicrous" and said it was wrong to hold the gun industry responsible for criminals' actions.
"Are they going to hold GM liable because one of their cars was used in an illegal fashion?" King said. "It's absolutely misplaced."
King said it was too soon to tell whether lawsuits would be filed fighting the legislation.
Republican Mayor Michael Bloomberg congratulated the City Council after the votes and said the legislation would "help prevent dangerous weapons from being used on our citizens."
Council Speaker Gifford Miller, a Manhattan Democrat, had a warning for violators: "You can't flood our streets with guns and expect to do it without repercussions."
© 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Learn more about our Privacy Policy.
:banghead:
:banghead: 
I thought people moved FROM NJ to have things get better.