New bill would deny guns to anyone on fed no-fly list

The first New York bill to ban gun ownership to people on the anti-terrorism no-fly list has been introduced in Albany.

“If you’re not safe to fly, you’re not safe to have a gun — its common sense,” said Assemb. Tom Abinanti (D-Greenburgh).

The bill would ban people on the federal no-fly list from owning a firearm, obtaining a gun license, or otherwise possessing, repairing or disposing of firearms.

People on the no-fly list are not permitted to board airplanes because of concerns that they might be associated with terrorism. Critics of using the no-fly list argue that there is no due process in putting names on the confidential list and it’s difficult to correct names placed on it in error.

The bill announced Tuesday would also deny renewal of gun licenses required under recent state gun control laws.

Democratic Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo supports the use of the no-fly list in gun control and said the concerns about using the federal list can be overcome. President Barack Obama has called on Congress to approve the use of the no-fly list in denying gun purchases after the massacre in San Bernadino, California, in December.

Although the bill has sponsors in the state Senate, they are all Democrats in the minority with little chance to move the bill to the floor.

The Senate’s Republican majority has opposed additonal gun control measures and last year sought to repeal some aspects of Cuomo’s SAFE Act gun control law.

By Michael Gormley

michael.gormley@newsday.com@GormleyAlbany

Michael Gormley has worked for Newsday since 2013, covering state government, politics and issues. He has covered Albany since 2001.