Governor Kathy Hochul called for urgent federal action on gun control during a CNN interview following the deadly Midtown Manhattan shooting that left multiple people dead, including a police officer.
Speaking from her office just blocks from the crime scene, Hochul condemned the use of an M4 rifle in the attack and blamed lax gun laws in other states for enabling the shooter to carry out the assault. “Our city and our state are grieving right now for the loss of innocent lives,” she said. “This is happening because there are still assault weapons in our country.”
The shooter, reportedly carrying a weapon obtained legally in Nevada, traveled to New York before opening fire. Hochul emphasized that such firearms are banned under New York law and pushed for nationwide standards. “New York State has the lowest homicide rate by guns in the nation for large states and that’s because of laws that are working,” she said. “We want that same sense of urgency to go out across the nation.”
Hochul criticized Congress for failing to reinstate the federal assault weapons ban that lapsed in 2004. She specifically called out Republicans, accusing them of caving to pressure from gun lobbyists. “You can’t say you’re tough on crime and be soft on guns or weak on guns — it’s just not holding up,” she said.
The governor dismissed political attacks from Representative Elise Stefanik, who linked the tragedy to calls to “defund the police.” Hochul defended her record, citing $2.6 billion invested in law enforcement and declining crime rates. “No governor in the history of New York has invested more money and resources for our local law enforcement,” she said.
Looking ahead, Hochul said she will continue pressing for federal reforms while visiting affected families and attending vigils in the city. “Our state is wounded right now. We’re hurting,” she said. “But I want more than thoughts and prayers. I want action.”
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