Gov.
Kathy Hochul signed legislation late Monday morning to strengthen New York's
already tough gun laws.
The
new laws include upping the age to purchase semi-automatic weapons from 18 to
21 and banning the sale of body armor, such as bulletproof vests,
to most New Yorkers.
Her
actions were sparked by the recent series of mass shootings – including the
supermarket massacre in Buffalo – Hochul’s hometown – on May 14. On May 24, a
shooter killed 19 students and two teachers at an elementary school in Uvalde,
Texas.
“It
just keeps happening,” said Hochul. “Shots ring out and nothing ever changes –
except here in New York.”
The
signed legislation also includes:
-Social
media networks will now be required to report hateful conduct.
-Health
practitioners will have the power to report potentially dangerous individuals
with an expansion to the Red Flag Law.
-Microstamping
of bullets to help with forensic investigation.
-Makes
it a crime for anyone who makes a threat of mass harm and will foster data
sharing with federal and state officials