NY Sen. backs bill to battle illegal gun sales

U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is backing a bill that aims to crack down on corrupt gun dealers and eliminate the flow of illegal guns into New York.

Gillibrand says almost 90 percent of the firearms used in New York City gun crimes come from out of state, and most of those guns are illegal.

The Democrat plans to introduce the Gun Trafficking Prevention Act this week.

It comes on the heels of an undercover probe into gun shows by New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. Investigators found an open marketplace for illegal weapons, with sellers disregarding mandatory background checks.

The new bill toughens penalties, making such sales a crime and suspending a dealer's license.