Giffords Praises Introduction of Bill in New York to Provide Public Information to Better Track Where Guns Used in Crimes Come From

April 30, 2018— Today, Giffords , the gun safety organization founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and Captain Mark Kelly, applauded the introduction of S 8308, a bill that would require state law enforcement agencies to publish specified data online about the source of guns used in crime in New York.

“For decades, Congress has complied with the gun lobby’s demand for no new federal research into the public health crisis that gun violence has created. But leaders in New York are stepping up and defying the NRA and listening to the will of the people,” said David Chipman, Senior Policy Advisor of Giffords. “More states should join New York in moving proactive measures like this forward because the sad reality is that too many people fall victim to gunfire every single day. Our law enforcement officials and public servants need research to most effectively understand how to help communities and keep them safer. This example of courage should be followed by others.”

“Stopping the ‘Iron Pipeline’ is possible if New York leads the way. Despite having among the toughest gun laws in the country, our state experiences too many gun-related crimes due to firearms originating elsewhere,” said Senator Michael Gianaris. “While the federal government will not take action to combat gun violence, New York should use data to expose states that are part of the problem.”

“We applaud Senator Gianaris for introducing a bill that will help thwart illegal gun trafficking and protect the lives of New Yorkers,” said Rebecca Fischer, Executive Director of New Yorkers Against Gun Violence. “New York State has some of the strongest gun safety laws in the country but firearms trafficked from weak-gun-law states continue to cause senseless tragedy. This legislation will strengthen New York’s capacity to track the origin of crime guns and prevent them from flowing into our communities.”

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  Giffords   is a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives from gun violence. Led by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and her husband, Navy combat veteran and retired NASA astronaut Captain Mark Kelly, Giffords inspires the courage of people from all walks of life to make America safer.