Cuomo Not Open To Changes In Substance Of Gun Control Law
ALBANY (CBSNewYork/AP) -- New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Monday that he is only open to "technical changes" to correct mistakes in his landmark gun control legislation, and not substantive changes.
Cuomo said he will not consider changing the provision that requires no more the seven bullets in an ammunition magazine, down from 10 allowed before the law was enacted.
That idea was among the revisions Senate Republican leader Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre) floated Monday. Skelos said his conference also wants to pursue other changes.
The New York State legislature quickly passed the gun control measure in the wake of the Dec. 14 Newtown, Conn. school massacre. Gunman Adam Lanza used a Bushmaster .223 semiautomatic in his rampage that left 20 first graders and six educators dead.
Under prior state law, assault weapons are defined by having two "military rifle'' features spelled out in the law. The new law reduces that to one feature and include the popular pistol grip.
It also forces gun owners to renew their licenses every five years, stiffens penalties for using a gun in the commission of a crime and for bringing a gun on school property.
The gun law has led to large protest rallies in Albany and pressured Senate Republicans who represent many of the upstate areas where gun owners are most upset.
Cuomo announced plans late last month to modify the law so as to exempt the film industry.
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