Governor Kathy Hochul issued a strong rebuke Friday against federal efforts she says threaten New York’s nationally recognized gun safety laws, warning that rolling back these protections could endanger thousands of lives.
In a statement from Albany, Hochul defended the state’s measures, including restrictions on ghost guns, teenage firearm purchases, and weapons in sensitive locations such as schools and subways. She cited data showing New York ranks among the top five safest states for firearm mortality.
“Because we put common-sense protections in place, New York is one of the top 5 safest states when it comes to firearm mortality,” Hochul said. “Our efforts have gotten more than 10,000 illegal guns off the streets.”
The governor criticized Representatives Elise Stefanik and Claudia Tenney for urging the U.S. Department of Justice to scrutinize state-level gun laws, calling the move a politically motivated attack on public safety.
“Without New York’s gun laws, thousands of lives would be at risk,” she said. “You can’t be ‘tough on crime’ if you’re not tough on illegal guns.”
Hochul called on New York’s congressional delegation to support stronger national gun safety legislation rather than undermining state policies that she says have repeatedly been upheld in court.
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