ALBANY, N.Y. (WKBW) — Governor Cuomo has proposed new measures meant to crack down on untraceable guns, appropriately known as "ghost guns."
The governor wants to require firearm parts be sold only to authorized buyers, assign them the same eligibility requirements as a completed firearm and ensure that all major parts receive a serial number. His proposal would ban individuals from obtaining major components of a firearm, rifle or shotgun online. Individuals would instead need to ship these parts to a licensed gun dealer where they would be picked up in person.
The proposal would also prohibit individuals who are forbidden to possess a firearm, rifle or shotgun from owning a major component of these guns, and create new misdemeanor and felony penalties for violating these new provisions.
"New York has the strongest gun safety protections in the nation, but every day dangerous people seek to find new ways around them," Governor Cuomo said. "This common sense measure would ban these untraceable guns and require anyone who wants to build their own firearm to come out of the shadows once and for all."
The proposal is the 18th one the governor intends to make as part of his 2020 State of the State address. It's the latest gun-related measure to be floated or passed by the governor.
In December, he proposed banning gun ownership for out-of-state offenders. And during the 2019 legislative session, he signed laws which do the following:
- extend the background check waiting period
- ban bump stocks
- ban undetectable guns, including 3D-printed guns
- expand firearm safe storage laws
- prevent school districts from arming teachers
- establish statewide regulations for gun buyback programs
- create a red flag procedure enabling concerned family members, educators, and law enforcement to seek a temporary order removing guns from individuals deemed to pose a risk to themselves or others.
