New York tightens gun laws in wake of Buffalo shooting
The New York state legislature on Thursday passed a package of gun legislation that will raise the minimum age to buy a semiautomatic rifle to from 18 to 21, ban a majority of civilians from buying bullet-resistant body vests, and revise the state's red flag laws, The New York Times and Associated Press report.
The bills, pushed through by the legislature's Democratic majority, are now heading to Gov. Kathy Hochul's (D) desk, where she is "widely expected" to sign them into law, the Times notes. The new package makes New York the first state to approve legislation following shootings in Buffalo and Texas that left 10 and 21 dead, respectively.
New York already requires handgun owners be at least 21 years of age, AP notes, and younger individuals will still be allowed to have other types of rifles and handguns. The new law, however, will restrict access to the "fast-firing" rifles both young gunmen used in the Buffalo and Texas shootings. New buyers will also be required to obtain a license before buying a semiautomatic rifle.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The change will more so impact areas outside of New York City — which already requires permits to possess, carry, and purchase any type of firearm, and typically restricts applicants under 21 — and will bring the state in line with a number of others — like Florida, Illinois, and Vermont — where buyers are required to be at least 21 to purchase certain types of long guns, AP writes.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
New Jersey first lady exits race to replace Menendez
Speed Read Tammy Murphy dropping out paves the way for Rep. Andy Kim to become the state's next senator
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Russia blames Ukraine for deadly ISIS Moscow attack
Speed Read Putin has ignored the Islamic State's claim of responsibility for the concert hall shooting
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump-RNC pact puts Trump legal bills ahead of GOP
Speed Read The former president has struck a deal with the Republican National Committee to put donations toward his legal bills
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Vietnam president resigns amid scandal
Speed Read Vietnam loses its second president in two years as Vo Van Thuong steps down
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Texas migrant law in limbo after Supreme Court OK
Speed Read The law has been blocked again, mere hours after the Supreme Court allowed the state to arrest migrants
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Cubans rally for 'power and food' in rare protests
Speed Read The protests came after 18-hour rolling blackouts and food supply shortages
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Why Trump cannot raise bond to avert asset seizure
speed read If the former president does not post the $454M bond in his civil fraud case by Monday, his assets can be seized
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Putin's preordained win marred by protests
speed read Voters participated in a silent protest — endorsed by late opposition leader Alexei Navalny — against the president
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published