Cuomo: NY needs to ban assault weapons

ALBANY -- Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said yesterday that New York needs an assault weapons ban, not just the increased penalties for illegal gun possession that Republicans are backing.

Cuomo, a Democrat, said a plan from Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre) that includes tougher prison sentences for illegal gun possession, using them for crimes or taking them on school property doesn't go far enough in the wake of a shooting at a Connecticut school that killed 26 people.

"I don't think their plan goes far enough," Cuomo said. "It misses the mark, pardon the pun, a plan that doesn't ban assault weapons, with what we've seen." Asked for his definition, Cuomo said, "Rifle with high-capacity magazine" and the characteristics of an assault weapon, but did not elaborate more exactly. He is expected to present his gun proposal in his State of the State Address Wednesday.

New York already bans assault weapons defined as semiautomatic guns that can accept detachable magazines and have military-style features like pistol grips, flash suppressors and bayonet mounts. Cuomo has described that ban as having "significant loopholes."

State law also bans large-capacity magazines that can hold more than 10 bullets, if they were made after 1994.

Skelos' proposal focused on illegal guns, which he said are those most used in crimes in New York. He said last week that any legislative agreement on gun safety should also include a stronger version of Kendra's Law, authorizing longer court-ordered mental health treatment for individuals who won't seek help but are deemed to be a safety threat.

Skelos spokeswoman Kelly Cummings Monday scolded Assembly Democrats' "refusal . . . to even consider putting in place tougher penalties" for individuals who commit crimes with guns.

Michael Whyland, spokesman for Democratic Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, said that statement was false, and retorted that the Senate Republicans are beholden to the gun lobby.