***UPDATE***
In his State of the State address on Wednesday, Gov. Cuomo proposed a seven-point plan to end gun violence as the “toughest assault weapon ban in the nation.” The plan includes “requiring federal background checks of all gun sales, including private ones; the ban of high-capacity magazines; enacting tougher penalties for illegal gun use, guns on school grounds, and gun activity by gangs; keeping guns from people who are mentally ill; banning the direct Internet sale of ammunition purchases; one state check on all firearms purchases; and programs to cut gun violence in high-crime neighborhoods.”
“I know that the issue of gun control is hard,” Cuomo said during his address. “I know it’s political. I know it’s controversial… I say to you: Forget the extremists. It’s simple, no one hunts with an assault rifle. No one needs 10 bullets to kill a deer and too many innocent people have died already. End the madness, now!”
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In wake of recent shootings, Gov. Andrew Cuomo plans to talk about expanding gun control laws, which has been a hot political topic as of late. Since the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn. that killed 20 children, political leaders have been pressured, now more than ever, to address gun control laws in America.
“I think what the nation is saying now after Connecticut, what people in New York are saying is ‘Do something, please,’ ” Mr. Cuomo told reporters recently.
The New York governor will finally deal with the topic, among other issues. Here’s what you need to know.
1. Gov. Cuomo will Announce Gun Control Reform Wednesday
Gov. Andrew Cuomo will announce the gun control reform on Wednesday, making New York the first state to enact new major gun laws. New York is one of seven states that already ban at least some assault weapons, but Cuomo stated that the existing laws have “more holes than Swiss cheese” and wants to broaden the amount of guns and magazines covered by the law as to make it harder to gun makers to get around the loop holes.
2. He Will Make the Announcement at His State of the State Speech
The announcement will be a part of the governor’s State of the State speech in Albany, N.Y. Cuomo will deliver the speech a 1:30 p.m. ET.
3. The Event will Honor the Firefighters Killed in a Christmas Eve Ambush
The event is expected to honor Michael Chiapperini and Tomasz Kaczowka, two firefighters who were fatally shot on Christmas Eve by William Spengler who ambushed the volunteers after he set fire to his own home.
4. It will Include Restrictions of Assault Weapons
Cuomo will talk about restrictions of assault weapons, which is generally defined as a semi-automatic firearm that possesses features that are similar to military firearms.
5. And Harsher Penalties
The governor will also call for tougher penalties and prison sentences for illegal gun possession.
6. And Magazine Limits
Cuomo’s legislation would limit the number of rounds in a magazine to seven.
7. It will be a Robust Speech, Cuomo Says
“I think you will see a very robust State of the State,” he told reporters Thursday.
The governor will also propose more expansive use of mental health records in background checks of gun buyers. Besides gun control, Cuomo will address other issues, including disaster recovery, economic development, government efficiency and a so-called progressive agenda.
8. Cuomo will Attempt to Appeal to Both Democrats and Republicans
The governor will balance a progressive agenda that appeases Democrats with a pro-jobs speech that focuses on the still-struggling economy and garners support from Republicans, reports Democrat and Chronicle.
9. He will Also Talk About Superstorm Sandy and Raising the Minimum Wage
Among other issues, Cuomo will talk about bolstering the states infrastructure after Superstorm Sandy debilitated parts of New York in October. He is seeking $30 billion in federal aid to help rebuild after the storm ravaged New York’s shorelines. The governor has also received recommendations from his hand-picked panels on storm preparations and response, including creating a strategic fuel reserve, mandating that certain gasoline stations maintain on-site backup generators and creating a statewide emergency-training program. He is expected to adopt some of those recommendations.
The governor will also talk about raising the minimum wage in New York from $7.25 an hour to $8.50 an hour..
10. The Democratic Governor is Going into His Third Year in Office
Governor Cuomo is entering his third year in office, seeking to build on the success of his previous years. The Democratic governor is also a potential candidate for the 2016 presidential race.