Res. No. 845
Title
Resolution urging the New York State Legislature to pass A-1166, a bill that would prohibit the sale of handgun ammunition without proof of a handgun license.
Body
By Council Member Sanders, Vallone, Yassky, Clarke, Gonzalez, Comrie, Brewer, Reyna, Addabbo, Espada, Felder, Fidler, Foster, Gennaro, Jackson, Jennings, Liu, Lopez, Martinez, Nelson, Quinn, Recchia, Serrano, Vann and Weprin
Whereas, The use of handguns results in the injury and untimely death of hundreds of thousands of Americans each year; and
Whereas, According to the United States Department of Justice in the year 2001, guns were involved in over 330,00 violent crimes, over 10,000 murders, and 47 of the 51 law enforcement officers killed in the United States died of gunshot wounds; and
Whereas, Currently, federal law prohibits the sale of handgun or ammunition to certain categories of persons, including those under 18 years of age, anyone convicted of or indicted for a felony, fugitives from justice, users of controlled substances, those committed to a mental institution or adjudicated incompetent, undocumented immigrants, and anyone dishonorably discharged from the armed services; and
Whereas, Although these categories of persons are not legally permitted to purchase ammunition, the law does not require the presentation of a license to carry a handgun when purchasing ammunition; and
Whereas, A license to carry a firearm demonstrates that one has passed a background check and is permitted to purchase ammunition; and
Whereas, Without the presentation of a license, retailers have no objective way to determine whether a customer may legally purchase ammunition; and
Whereas, Such a system is an immediate threat to public safety; and
Whereas, A-1166 would restrict the availability of handgun ammunition for those who do not have the legal authority to possess a handgun; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York urges the New York State Legislature to pass A-1166, a bill that would prohibit the sale of handgun ammunition without proof of a handgun license.
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