ALBANY – New York state plans to spend nearly $28 million to develop a statewide electronic handgun permit database as part of the NY SAFE Act, the state’s new gun control law.
According to a report in Today’s Jamestown Post-Journal and a report from the Associated Press, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver has said the measure in the tentative state budget will create a central database of handgun permit records now kept at the county level. The new database will allow faster statewide cross-checking with records of crimes and involuntary commitments to mental health facilities.
The law also exempts records of individual handgun owners from the state Freedom of Information Law.
The law has met with strong opposition by mostly upstate Republicans who see the law as an assault on Second Amendment rights. However, most New Yorkers support stronger gun control measures, particularly residents of New York City and its suburbs.
Related to the recent changes to the state gun law through the NY SAFE Act is a new statewide tip line, which offers a $500 reward for turning in any state resident who has illegal weapons. A toll-free tip line has been established by the state to encourage residents to report illegal firearm possession. Residents can call 1-855-GUNSNYS (1-855- 486-7697) or text GUNTIP and their message to CRIMES (274637).
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