Weapons Ban A Good Plan

Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature are to be commended for their swift action in passing and signing the New York Safe Ammunition and Firearm Enforcement Act of 2013. While New York City has had increased restrictions on firearms, the provisions and restrictions set forth in the new law should call to mind the tragedies that could happen with these dangerous weapons.

  The new law will not eliminate gun violence, no reasonable person should expect it to. What it will do, though, is ensure that the firearms available and the ones already in circulation are used more responsibly. That, in itself, should hopefully begin to reduce gun violence.

  Some have argued that these restrictions are pointless, because we cannot hope to control the thousands of firearms already in circulation, either legal or illegal. All that means is that we need to work harder to stem the tide of gun violence and change the culture that encourages these violent acts.

  We hope that City officials continue to make every effort to get these illegal firearms off the streets, including holding gun buyback programs and reaching out to those members of society who feel they have no other recourse than to use a firearm.

  We have taken a giant first step. Now we need to follow through.