Res. No. 844
Resolution in support of S.2994, which would amend the New York State Penal Law to require firearm owners to register their firearms on an annual basis with the county clerk's office in the county where the owner resides, except in New York City where residents would be required to register their firearms at their local police precincts.
By Council Members Comrie, James, Mark-Viverito, Palma, Recchia, Rose, Vann and Williams
Whereas, Gun violence claimed the lives of over 30,000 people in the United States each year for the past several years; and
Whereas, In 2010, there were 536 homicides in New York City, 61% of which were caused by a gun; and
Whereas, New York State, with the exception of New York City, does not require an adult to register a rifle or a shotgun; and
Whereas, Throughout New York State adults are required to register their handguns; and
Whereas, A uniform law requiring the registration of all firearms would benefit all New Yorkers; and
Whereas, Benefits associated with a firearm registration requirement include giving law enforcement officials the ability to trace guns and conduct investigations when guns are recovered; and
Whereas, In order to ensure that all firearms are properly tracked, Senator Eric Adams introduced S.2994, which would amend the Penal Law to require gun owners to register their firearms on an annual basis with the county clerk's office in the county where the individual resides, except in New York City where residents would be required to register such firearms at their local police precincts; and
Whereas, If enacted, S.2994 would require all firearm owners to obtain photo identification registration cards by submitting applications with the following information: brief description of each firearm registered including any serial number, the owner's contact information, and the location where the gun will be stored when not in use; additionally, if the application involves a newly acquired firearm, the owner would be required to state where and how such firearm was acquired; and
Whereas, S.2994 would establish an application fee of $15 for each firearm registered and a $10 renewal fee; and
Whereas, S.2994 would require firearm owners to notify the registering office whenever the owner no longer possesses the firearm; and
Whereas, S.2994 would penalize those firearm owners who fail to comply with the law by charging them with a misdemeanor; and
Whereas, New York State should enact S.2994 in order to ensure that all firearms circulating in New York State can be properly tracked; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York supports S.2994, which would amend the New York State Penal Law to require firearm owners to register their firearms on an annual basis with the county clerk's office in the county where the owner resides, except in New York City where residents would be required to register their firearms at their local police precincts.
SA
LS# 2214
5/10/11