Bronx Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (A.D. 81) has said he is pleased to know that the City Council is moving ahead with gun reform legislation that is similar to a law he sponsored at State level which passed last year. He said earlier this year, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed into law his bill which requires the posting of notices and handing out of those notices when an individual obtains a gun license.

 

He said a notice is also handed out to a person purchasing a firearm and highlights the dangers of ownership, including the increased risk of suicide, death during domestic disputes, and unintentional death to children, household members, and others. It also advises the person of the availability of the 988 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

 

The assemblyman said it is landmark anti-gun legislation which will save lives. “I am pleased that the City Council is poised to pass its own legislation which is similar to my legislation, but also adds a graphic requirement warning individuals of the dangers of keeping a firearm at home also be included.”

 

Dinowitz said the scourge of gun violence continues to plague our country and is especially true in the home. He said a study from the American College of Physicians found that “living with a handgun owner is associated with substantially elevated risk for dying by homicide,” and “women are disproportionately affected.”

 

He said additionally that an analysis by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that approximately one half of unintentional firearm injury deaths among children and adolescents occurred at their home and that the most common precipitator was playing with or showing the firearm to another person. He said, “Here in New York, we’ve taken numerous actions to bring down the incidents of violence and death that involve the use of guns, including the enactment into law of my legislation.”

The assemblyman added, “I welcome all allies who join me in fighting against gun violence and look forward to the passage of Council Member [Erik] Bottcher’s [C.D. 3] legislation that would require when an individual amends or receives a license or permit for possession of a firearm, and where a firearm dealer displays or distributes a notice of the dangers of gun ownership, that a graphic warning that depict the nature of the health and safety risks described in the notice be adjacent to the notice.”

 

Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a law in recent years designating Times Square in Manhattan a gun free zone following concerns that tourists would cease visiting the City over safety concerns. Some tourists have been shot while visiting the City.

 

A gun buyback event is being held on Saturday, Dec. 13, at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in the Bronx. Click on this link for more information.

 

The Bronx District Attorney’s domestic violence unit can be reached on (718) 838 6688.

 

Call the NYC 24/7 Domestic Violence Hotline on 1-800-621-4673, or visit the NYC Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence for more information.