Local Elected Officials and Gun Safety Advocates call on GOP congressional leaders to publicly reject bills that would weaken gun safety protections, demanding common sense gun safety reforms

Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney
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NEW YORK, NY — On October 7, 2017; Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney joined Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance, local elected officials and gun safety advocates to call on House Speaker Paul Ryan to publicly commit to not allow votes on the Sportsmen Heritage and Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Act (HR 3668) and the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act (CCRA) of 2017 (HR 38). The group gathered at the Gandhi statue—a symbol of peace and non—violence, in Union Square Park.

"Congress’s first priority should be to keep people safe, but when it comes to gun violence we are failing miserably," said Congresswoman Maloney. "It is time for Republicans in Congress to abandon efforts like the SHARE Act and Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act that would weaken our gun safety laws and put New Yorkers at the mercy of the weakest gun laws in the country. Instead, we need to pass common sense, effective reforms like universal background checks, an assault weapons ban, and stricter gun trafficking laws. These will help save lives, while at the same time respect the Second Amendment. A strong majority ofthe American people support these reforms; it's time that a majority in Congress did so as well."

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr.
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"Here in New York, we are fortunate to have some of the strongest gun laws in the nation, and those laws have contributed to us becoming the safest big city in America," said Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., co-founder of Prosecutors Against Gun Violence. "Since 1990, New York City has accounted for 25 percent of the decline in homicides nationally. In Manhattan, murders fell by 92 percent during that Same time period. Those public safety gains are a direct result of smart policing, strategic prosecutions, and strong gun laws championed by our Governor, congressional representatives, elected officials, and gun safety advocates. I thank Rep. Maloney for bringing us together in the aftermath of yet another mass killing to tell our country's lawmakers in Washington that we will not allow them to chip away at the progress we have made by passing life—threatening legislation like the SHARE and Concealed Carry Reciprocity Acts."

The SHARE Act would eliminate restnctions on silencers and instead treat them as ordinary firearms, amongst other provisions dangerous to pubhc safety and law enforcement officers. The CCRA would force all states to recognizeconcealed carry weapon permits from other states, regardless of how lax those state permitting laws may be.

The leaders also called on Congress to pass common sense gun safety reforms, such as universal background checks, an assault weapons ban, and increased penalties for gun trafficking and straw purchases.

Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer
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"The prospect that New York would be forced to honor other states’ concealed—carry laws by federal legislation is preposterous,” said Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer. ”And the notion than New Yorkers would stand silent as silencers are classified as ordinary firearms defies common sense. I'm proud to help sound the alarm against these truly dangerous proposals being considered in Washington.”

Assemblymember Dan Quart
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"In the wake of the deadliest mass shooting in America's modern history, the last thing our country needs is watered down gun control laws,” said Assemblymember Dan Quart. "The Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act is a vast federal overreach that could have dangerous consequences in New York. This bill would legalize bringing firearms into school zones, make the jobs of our law enforcement more difficult, and pour an additional 2 million more guns into our city. I urge Congress to reject any law that would put more Americans at risk of gun violence.”

Assemblymember Brian Kavanagh
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"Strong gun laws save lives," said Assemblymember Brian Kavanagh, Chair of American State Legislators for Gun Violence Prevention, and its New York affiliate. "Here in New York, the NY SAFE Act and other state laws have helped ensure that New York has one of the lowest rates of death from gun violence in America. Congresswoman Maloney and many of her colleagues from New York have fought valiantly for years for federal laws like background checks on all gun sales nationwide, which are supported by a large majority of Americans and would make our country a safer. For too long the corporate gun lobby and its allies in Congress have opposed these common sense proposals, causing needless suffering and death. This year, they have compounded this track record of neglect by putting forth some truly perverse bills, likethe SHARE Act and so-called Concealed Carry Reciprocity, that would undo 80 years of federal regulation and undermine our ability to protect ourselves with sensible state laws. I am proud to stand with Congresswoman Maloney to say that this is totally unacceptable-"

Rebecca Fischer, Executive Director of New Yorkers Against Gun Violence
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"We stand together today to grieve for those killed and injured in Las Vegas and to demand leadership and action from our lawmakers,” said Rebecca Fischer, Executive Director of New Yorkers Against Gun Violence. “Easy access to guns repeatedly leads to senseless carnage—from mass shootings to gun violence killing more than 90 Americans a day.  We must take on the gun lobby and their dangerous agenda and we will not back down.  Instead of "thoughts and prayers", this public health crisis must be addressed now with policies and programs that will safeguard our families and communities." 

New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer
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“This is about saving lives and preventing tragedy. As a father to two young boys, I want my kids to grow up in an America without guns,” said New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer. “But right now, Republicans seem to want a handgun on every street corner and a silencer sold in every store. It puts all of us in danger — and it’s devoid of common sense. We don’t need more giveaways to the gun lobby, and we need more than just “thoughts and prayers." We need smart gun laws. That’s why I want to thank Congresswoman Maloney for leading the fight in Washington, and I want to thank all of the advocates who are standing up for right over wrong.” 

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