New York's Red Flag law takes effect today. The measure would allow a State Supreme Court Justice to order the confiscation of a person’s guns if law enforcement, school officials, or a family member signs a statement saying they believe the person to be a potential danger to themselves or to others. After authorities take the guns away, a due process hearing would be held.
Cuomo’s statement:
"The scourge of gun violence and mass shootings plaguing the United States in recent years is only getting worse, and it is fueled in part by Washington's failure to keep deadly firearms out of the hands of people who threaten violence against others.
"New York has led the charge to end this madness by passing the strongest gun safety laws in the nation, including the Red Flag Law that was enacted this year and goes into effect today. This law makes New York the first state in the nation to empower teachers, law enforcement and family members to pursue court intervention when they believe someone is a danger to themselves or others.
"Nearly half of all perpetrators of mass shootings exhibit warning signs before the shooting; this new law will help keep guns away from those dangerous people in the first place and prevent needless tragedies.
"This is a big step forward for common sense gun safety, and it is time for the federal government to follow New York's lead. My message to President Trump and Senate Republicans is simple: Stop kowtowing to the NRA. Enact a national Red Flag Law now. Lives depend on it."
On Friday, Wellsville Regional News asked this question of Allegany County District Attorney Keith Slep: When it comes to the "due process hearing" will the DA's office be involved in those?
Mr. Slep provided this response: “Unless there is a criminal charge involving a weapon, I am not getting involved.”
Last week Mr. Slep called the law "ill-conceived" and further stated "it's just another ineffectual feel good measure that will only serve to harass and will have no real impact."
