7/30/2019 Steck- Gun Control - Press Release 12 28 2012

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***PressRelease***FORIMMEDIATERELEASE Contact: PhillipG.Steck

December27,2012

4493900

psteck@coopererving.com

STECKPUSHESFORTOUGHERGUNLAWS,ANNOUNCESSUPPORTFORGOV.CUOMOPROPOSALAssemblymember-elect Phil Steck today announced his strong support for tougher gun control legislation both at the State

and Federal level saying the gaps in the differing gun laws make our communities less safe.

There are inconsistencies that allow guns to cross borders and limit the effectiveness of state laws, but if legislation in

New York can save even one life or prevent one tragedy, we should act immediately. Under the leadership of Speaker

Silver, and with my colleagues in the Assembly, I look forward to working on this issue., Steck stated.

Steck continued, Governor Cuomos proposed ban on gun magazines containing more than seven bullets is an important

step in the process, but New York cannot act alone. Criminals buy guns in other states with little or no regulation and

bring them to New York, that is why I fully support the proposals of The Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence.

Steck rejected the proposal of the National Rifle Association and its New York affiliate calling for armed guards in

schools. He cited to a column dated December 16, 2012, in which Sarah Brady, Chair of the Brady Center, wrote: I'm

sick of hearing the gun lobby and the politicians it controls tell us that the only way to make us safer is to carry more

guns. It's another lie. My husband, Jim, knows that too well. He was surrounded by the U.S. Secret Service, the best-

trained professionals in the world, when he was shot in the head.

Steck pointed out that, in the 1930s, the gun of choice for criminals was the machine gun. However, its use had been

virtually eliminated due to legislation advanced by President Franklin Roosevelt. We need the same approach with

assault weapons. Enacting sensible limits on these types of weaponry do not infringe on the legitimate rights of

sportsmen or of licensed gun owners.

While a member of the Albany County Legislature, Steck pushed for tougher enforcement of the New York State criminal

law making it unlawful to sell ammunition to anyone other than licensed gun owners. My proposal encountered fierce

opposition from the NRA. I learned first-hand the distortions and spurious arguments made by those organizations.

Steck said that polling this fall, prior to the tragic events in Connecticut, showed that 70% of the residents of his District

support gun control.

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