Continuing the Fight Against Gun Violence in Communities
Governor Hochul announced $36 million for local law enforcement agencies in 28 communities to continue to fight gun violence.
Governor Kathy Hochul is committed to protecting public safety, ending gun violence, and combatting the rise of domestic terrorism. The FY 2023 enacted budget invests in bold initiatives that will strengthen gun violence prevention efforts, change our public safety laws to make our state safer and more just, and protect victims of hate crimes and domestic violence.
In early June 2022, less than one month after the tragic shootings in Buffalo, New York and Uvalde, Texas, Governor Hochul signed a comprehensive legislative package to immediately strengthen the state's gun laws, close critical loopholes exposed by shooters in Buffalo and Uvalde, and protect New Yorkers from the scourge of gun violence that continues to infect our nation and endanger our communities.
In response to the Supreme Court's decision in NYSRPA v. Bruen, the State has taken steps to address the consequences of the Supreme Court decision and the resulting increase in licenses and in the number of individuals who will likely purchase and carry weapons in New York State. Less than a week after the ruling, Governor Hochul signed landmark legislation to bolster restrictions on concealed carry weapons, expand eligibility requirements, add background checks for ammunition, expand safe storage & amend a ban on body armor.
Landmark Legislative Package to Strengthen Gun Laws and Protect New Yorkers Closing Critical Gun Law Loopholes Exposed in Tragic Shootings
The package strengthens the state's gun laws, closes critical loopholes exposed by shooters in Buffalo and Uvalde, and protects New Yorkers from the scourge of gun violence that continues to infect our nation and endanger our communities.
Among other reforms, this nation-leading legislation bans the sale of semiautomatic rifles to anyone under 21, restricts the sale of body armor to those in an eligible profession, strengthens our Red Flag Law, and requires microstamping for new semiautomatic handguns.
Signed into law less than one month after the tragic shooting in Buffalo, this comprehensive ten-bill package includes new measures that will save lives.
Creating a Safer and More Just New York State
Changes to our public safety laws in the FY2023 Budget will make our state safer and our criminal justice system fairer.
Preventing Gun Violence
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Shooting Incidents Fall 59 Percent Under Hochul
Investments in the GIVE initiative have contributed to a 59 percent reduction in gun violence since Governor Hochul took office.
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Driving Down Gun Violence
Governor Hochul announced gun violence has declined in communities participating in the State's GIVE initiative in first months of 2025.
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Creating the Interstate Task Force on Illegal Guns
Governor Hochul formed a new Interstate Task Force to help combat illegal gun trafficking across state lines.
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Strengthening Proven Community-Based Programs
Governor Hochul is investing $227 million in community-based gun violence intervention programs, including the SNUG program.
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Bolstering the Red Flag Law
Requiring State Police to file applications when appropriate to prohibit potentially dangerous people from accessing firearms.
We will continue to confront this epidemic head-on, stamp out extremists who threaten our communities, strengthen the toughest gun laws in the country and do whatever it takes to keep New Yorkers safe.
Governor Kathy Hochul
Combating Hate
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Establishing a New Domestic Terrorism Unit
Governor Hochul will create new domestic terrorism units to focus on tracking and responding to extremist violent threats.
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Holding Social Media Platforms Accountable
Governor Hochul issued a referral to the Attorney General to investigate social media platforms used by the Buffalo shooting suspect.
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Preventing Hate Crimes
Governor Hochul is expanding resources for targets of hate crimes and strengthening our laws to protect victims.