NEW YORK STATE LEGISLATURE TO VOTE ON EXPANDED "ASSAULT WEAPONS" BILL

March 2, 2005--New bills aimed at further restricting ownership of military-style semiautomatic weapons have been introduced in the New York State legislature.

The 1994 federal "Assault Weapons" ban expired on September 13th of last year. However, a few states--including New York--have had similar versions of the ban in place since the early 1990's.

Assembly bill A 2466 would change the definition of what constitutes an "assault weapon," and require anyone who currently owns any firearm deemed an "assault weapon" to register it, render it permanently inoperable, or turn it in to the police.

Those who choose to register their "assault weapons" would be required to undergo an additional background check and would be required to have the firearm tested for entry into New York State's ballistic imaging program.

State Senator Eric Schniederman (D-District 31) introduced a senate bill--S 2445--that would expand the current "assault weapons" ban to include many more models by name, and also ban more firearms based on specific features.

The 1994 federal ban allowed those who owned "assault weapons" manufactured prior to May of 1994 to keep them, but prohibited manufacturers from producing firearms that had a combination of more than two largely cosmetic features.

Manufacturers responded to the 1994 law by removing flash suppressors, bayonet lugs and other features from their firearms in order to stay compliant with the law.

The recent New York State bills, however, do not distinguish between "pre-ban" and "post-ban" models. If the firearm has a pistol grip or any other objectionable feature, it's an "assault weapon." If passed into law, the bills would make New York one of the most restrictive states in the country for owners of military-style firearms.

Today the state assembly Codes Committee passed Bill #A 2466, and the bill has been reported to the assembly floor for a full vote.

Many in the New York State firearms community believe that the bill may well pass unless gun owners make a concerted effort to contact their legislators and voice their objections.

New York gun owners concerned about the new ban can contact their representatives by going to http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/