Res. No. 750
Resolution calling upon Congress to denounce the Firearms Corrections and Improvement Act, H.R. 5005, introduced by Rep. Smith, which would subject police officers to a felony conviction for sharing data on illicit gun dealers.
By Council Members Vallone Jr., Brewer, Fidler, Gentile, Recchia Jr. and Stewart
Whereas, Police officers who, in an undercover capacity, purchase guns from gun traffickers are engaging in one of the most dangerous types of police work; and
Whereas, This type of work comes with great risk and too often police lives are lost, such as those of New York Police Detectives James Nemorin and Rodney Andrew, who were murdered while working undercover as part of NYPD’s gun trafficking task force; and
Whereas, The Firearms Corrections and Improvement Act could severely limit gun control and law enforcement by leaving police officers subject to a felony conviction for sharing data on illicit dealers with other law enforcement departments; and
Whereas, Criminalizing police officers for sharing data with law enforcement agencies in other jurisdictions is very likely to impede the investigation of criminal activities; and
Whereas, In 2006, it was trace data that allowed New York City to bring civil litigation against fifteen gun dealers in five states who were involved in selling guns through typical straw purchases; and
Whereas, The sharing of this vital information among law enforcement agencies is critical to putting an end to gun trafficking and increasing public safety; now, therefore, be it
Resolved , That the Council of the City of New York calls upon Congress to denounce the Firearms Corrections and Improvement Act, H.R. 5005, introduced by Rep. Smith, which would subject police officers to a felony conviction for sharing data on illicit gun dealers.
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