U. S. SENATE
Gillibrand’s bill targets gun trafficking
Published: November 25, 2009, 12:30 am
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Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand, at one time a darling Democrat of the National Rifle Association, may be further distancing herself from her pro-gun past with a new bill aiming to eliminate the flow of illegal guns into New York.
Tuesday, she unveiled the Gun Trafficking Prevention Act of 2009, which she said would empower local, state and federal law enforcement officers to investigate and prosecute gun traffickers and their criminal networks while “protecting responsible, law-abiding gun owners.”
Significantly, she introduced the measure in collaboration with Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, a Nassau County Democrat, who is one of the most vocal supporters of gun control in Congress.
“As a mother of two young children, I care deeply about keeping our families and neighborhoods safe and giving law enforcement the tools they need to eliminate illegal guns from the street and keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people,” Gillibrand said.
“Congresswoman McCarthy has been the single leading force in Congress working to eliminate gun violence, and I am pleased she has helped in writing this legislation.”
Gillibrand’s move follows a July vote that helped defeat a measure that would have allowed gun owners with valid permits in one state to carry concealed weapons to other states. The provision fell two votes short of the 60 required.
The new bill would make it illegal to participate in firearms trafficking, or to deliver or receive two or more firearms when an individual knows they will be used in a felony. Its intent, she said, is to pursue “straw-purchasers” who buy guns for others in order to evade required record-keeping and background checks, corrupt gun dealers who sell firearms to traffickers, and those who conspire with gun-trafficking rings.
“This legislation addresses firearms trafficking at every point of the chain,” she said.
It also would impose major fines and prison terms of up to 20 years, and would provide greater penalties for “kingpins who organize gun-trafficking rings.”
In addition, the bill treats gun-trafficking conspirators the same as those who sell the guns. Those who engage in a conspiracy would be subject to the same punishment as those who physically sell and receive the illegal guns, she said.
Gillibrand, who represented much of the Hudson Valley while serving in the House, has edged toward the left since becoming a statewide figure in January. She was appointed then to serve out the term of Hillary Rodham Clinton after she became secretary of state. Gillibrand is expected to run for a full six-year term in 2010.
rmccarthy@buffnews.com
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