New York lawmakers working on legislation to ban guns in certain places
NEW YORK -- New York lawmakers are meeting in an emergency session in Albany, preparing to pass legislation to lessen the impact of the Supreme Court decision striking down the state's century-old concealed gun carry laws.
CBS2's Marcia Kramer says the bill will ban weapons on a long list of public places.
Subways and mass transit are on the "no guns allowed" list, and so are a laundry list of other locations.
"Place where children gather: Schools, colleges, universities. Houses of worship. Polling places. Government buildings. Nursing homes. Hospitals," said Assemblyman Charles Lavine, chair of the Assembly Judiciary Committee.
That's just a partial list of places in New York where, under New York's new gun bill, weapons will be strictly prohibited.
"We want to make sure people are protected from folks walking around with guns strapped to their hips," Lavine said.
Called back to Albany by Gov. Kathy Hochul after the Supreme Court overturned New York's century-old gun permit law, the Senate and Assembly are preparing to pass an omnibus bill that will also:
- Tighten permitting by requiring 15 hours of gun range training
- Bar gun permits for people people with a history of dangerous behavior
- Require a background check for ammunition purchases
- Update gun storage laws so guns transported by car must be in a lock box
- Prevent people from brining guns into bars, restaurants and business establishments unless there is a sign that says concealed guns welcome
"We're trying to do the maximum we can within the restrictions and the handcuffs that the Supreme Court has put on us, but we absolutely intend to make it as difficult as possible for the wrong people to get their hands on guns," said Michael Gianaris, deputy Senate majority leader.
Watch Marcia Kramer's report
The goal of the governor and lawmakers is to come up with as many restrictions as possible, and that they pass constitutional muster.
"I assume whatever we do will be subject to a lawsuit. We feel very confident about the direction we're going, but I've got to tell you, Marcia, with this Supreme Court... it's anybody's guess. They're destroying the country one decision at a time," Gianaris said.
"We had no idea that the Supreme Court would render such a horrific decision, and that's what we're here back in Albany to fix," Sen. John Liu told CBS2's Dick Brennan. "We just want people to be safe ... It does not enhance safety. In fact, it makes it more dangerous for all of us if people could potentially be carrying concealed weapons."
Republican lawmakers are expected to oppose the measure, but the Democrats have supermajorities in the Assembly and Senate.
Meanwhile, lawmakers are also trying to deal with the Supreme Court abortion ruling, working on an amendment that would enshrine the right to an abortion in the New York state constitution.
"It would put in New York state's constitution equal rights and specifically a woman's right to have reproductive health care and abortion," Liu said.
Those resolutions on equal rights and abortion would then have to be voted on by the legislature again next year and then put to a public referendum.
As for the gun bill, it's expected to be signed by the governor as soon as it's passed and then becomes law, almost certainly to face immediate legal challenges.
