New York enacts gun-control laws

  • 11 years ago
PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signs the first gun-control measures into law since last year's deadly shooting at a school in Connecticut.

The bill brings into force tough new rules on assault weapons, ammunition capacity and screening for people who are mentally ill.

SOUNDBITE: THOMAS ABINANTI, NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMBER, SAYING (English):

"Let's stop glorifying violence, guns and those who use them. All I hear today is 'We need to have these weapons to defend ourselves.' Well, we are not going to be invaded by an army."

The legislation was proposed in the wake of the Newtown shooting last month which left 20 students and six adults dead.

It also came on the day of another deadly shooting - as two people were killed when gunfire broke out in the carpark of a Kentucky college.

Gun rights groups, such as the National Rifle Association (NRA), lashed out at the New York bill, saying it was rushed too quickly through the statehouse.

As the measures passed, protesters gathered in Connecticut calling for an end to the sale of assault weapons.

On Wednesday (January 16), President Barack Obama is expected to unveil recommendations to curb gun violence.