As the Bronx and New York State as a whole continues to see a marked increase in both shootings and shooting victims both year to date, and week on week, a diverse coalition of mayors representing cities and villages throughout the state have sent a joint letter, urging the state legislature to pass what the mayors see as critical gun sense legislation before ending the legislative session ahead of the summer recess. The mayors say the letter dated Tuesday, June 1, comes amidst a statewide surge of deadly gun violence this year in local communities.

 

In the Bronx, according to NYPD stats as of May 23, year-to-date shootings are up by 150 percent compared to the same period last year, while the number of shooting victims year-to-date has increased by 168 percent, compared to the same period last year. In the last 28 days alone, shootings in the borough are up by 221 percent, compared with the same 28-day period last year, and during that same time, the number of Bronx shooting victims has increased by 285 percent.

 

In the 52 precinct, which covers Bedford Park, Fordham, Kingsbridge, Norwood, Bronx Park, and University Heights, year-to-date shootings are up 133 percent, compared with last year, and the number of shooting victims has increased by 150 percent during the same period. In the 46 precinct which covers Fordham, University Heights, Morris Heights and Mount Hope, year-to-date shootings are up by 250 percent and the number of shooting victims during the same period has increased by 300 percent.

 

As reported previously by Norwood News, the 52 precinct has tried various tactics in addressing gun violence by concentrating on specific blocks, notably in Fordham Manor, where they see the most shootings. Over the last few months, the precinct has joined with community-based groups like Guerinos against Graffitti in organizing various clean-up efforts, in conjunction with City agencies, BIDs and local businesses to address general quality of life issues and assist with employment opportunities in hopes of curtailing local gun violence, in addition to ongoing patrol.

 

Meanwhile, the first-in-the-nation legislation (A.6762-A Fahy/S.1048-A Myrie)  is aimed at ending the ‘Iron Pipeline’ or flow of illegal guns into New York from other states. The mayors say 74% of all guns recovered from violent crimes and shootings in New York State are traced to out-of-state purchases or acquisition. Just last summer, law enforcement agencies in the Capital Region reported an increase in the prevalence and use of illegal guns recovered from crime scenes.

 

The bill removes immunity from civil liability law, granted to gun manufacturers under the federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (“PLCAA”) in New York State. The prevailing immunity gives the gun industry a unique protection no other industry enjoys in the U.S. It prohibits state legislators from applying the civil liability law in cases of misconduct by gun industry manufacturers, thereby preventing justice for [gun violence] victims

 

For example, manufacturers knowingly and continuously selling their products to corrupt dealers with histories of violations, law enforcement interaction. Those suspected of being major suppliers of the Iron Pipeline would be subject to civil prosecution and litigation under this law, if passed.

 

Bronx Assembly member Jeffrey Dinowitz introduced the bill along with Assembly Member Patricia Fahy on March 29, 2021 and others, and Bronx Assembly Members Victor Pichardo and José Rivera are among its co-sponsors in the Assembly, where it remains at committee level discussion. Meanwhile, in the Senate, the corresponding bill was introduced by Brooklyn State Sen. Zellnor Myrie and is co-sponsored by Bronx Senators Jamaal Bailey and Alessandra Biaggi, among others. It is now on the senate floor calendar.

 

The June 1 letter sent to the State leadership can be read here. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio was not among the mayoral signatories. Norwood News has reached out to City Hall to ask if the mayor supports the legislation, and will update this story upon receipt of any feedback we receive.

Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan said gun violence continues to wreak havoc in cities across the state. “The level of gun violence we are experiencing is unbearable,” Sheehan said. “Dismantling the Iron Pipeline of illegal guns that devastates our communities is critical to ending this violence. Local governments cannot do this alone. I implore the Senate and Assembly to pass this legislation as soon as possible.”

 

A gun buyback event is scheduled for Saturday, June 12, in Queens, organized by the New York City Police Foundation, the NYPD, Police Commissioner Dermot Shea and Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, in efforts to try to remove guns from the city’s streets.

 

Meanwhile, Fahy said New York State has seen a heartbreaking and devastating uptick in gun violence across New York State, including in the Capital Region.“Local governments, law enforcement agencies, and families of victims affected by gun violence need another tool in their arsenal in the fight to stop the flow of illegal guns into New York, and finally break the ‘Iron Pipeline’,” she said.