Kathy Hochul Wants To Make You Jump Through Hoops When Purchasing Guns

Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul called for new laws Thursday to address reported rule changes coming from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) that could allow for online firearms sales.

ATF originally proposed the new rule on “non-over-the-counter” sales by Federal Firearm License dealers May 8, with the agency seeking to alter its regulations to account for technological advances since 1993, when the Brady Act was signed into law by then-President Bill Clinton, allowing online orders and for the Form 4473 and National Instant Check System (NICS) to be run remotely instead of in-person. Hochul accused the Trump administration of increasing the risks to the public in a Thursday statement in which she called for legislation to ensure that such sales would not be permitted in New York.

“Time and time again, we see the Trump Administration concede to the gun lobby, and these rollbacks are yet another giveaway that will have devastating and dangerous effects across the country,” Hochul claimed.“While the federal government paves the way for increased firearm trafficking and putting guns in the hands of those who should not have them, New York State is taking action to blunt their efforts by bolstering our nation-leading gun laws and committing to closing the loopholes that put lives in jeopardy.”

The ATF’s proposed rule has led to comments from some self-described “small” FFLs who feared the change could push them out of business.

Hochul’s announcement drew praise from a former ATF official who now works for Everytown for Gun Safety, a gun-control organization founded by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

“I want to thank Governor Hochul for the steps New York is taking to protect its communities from gun trafficking and I want to encourage all local and state leaders to step up and follow her example,” Everytown Senior Firearms Industry Advisor Marianna Mitchem said in the release from Hochul’s office. “It is deeply disappointing that the agency I dedicated my career to has decided to cater to the gun industry rather than properly regulate it. But I am hopeful that with actions like those announced today, our communities will not be the ultimate victims of this Administration’s dangerous decisions.”