(The Center Square) – In response to Tuesday’s mass shooting incident at a Uvalde, Texas, school that left 19 children dead, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Wednesday that police officers would conduct routine check-ins at schools through the rest of the year.
- By Steve Bittenbender | The Center Square contributor
- April 25th, 2022
- The Roosevelt Island Daily News
That announcement was one of several related to gun control and violence prevention she made during a press conference while the Intra-State Gun Tracing Consortium met in East Greenbush.
In addition, Hochul said she would call a special session of the New York Legislature should the U.S. Supreme Court overturn a state law requiring residents to show cause to acquire a concealed carry license. A decision on that case should come in the near future.
The state Legislature’s regular session ends June 2.
“I’ll do whatever I have to do to protect people in this state,” the governor said.
Hochul also raised concerns about individuals under the age of 21 being able to purchase semi-automatic rifles. The accused gunmen in the Uvalde shooting and the May 14 Tops market shooting where 10 died in Buffalo were both 18-year-old males with AR-15 style weapons.
She added that she would not let the fear of losing a court case deter her from seeking stronger gun control measures.
“How does an 18-year-old purchase an AR-15 in the state of New York, state of Texas?” she asked. “That person’s not old enough to buy a legal drink. I want to work with the Legislature to change that. I want it to be 21. I think that’s just common sense.”
Regarding the school checks, New York State Police Superintendent Kevin Buren said state police officers would physically go to schools within troopers’ patrol areas every day and contact other schools. Buren said his department would not duplicate efforts if local law enforcement officers are already making stops.
Buren also said he did not have a position on requiring schools to employ resource officers. He told reporters that’s a local decision, but he would support it if local leaders felt it built trust in the community.
“I can’t stress enough that the biggest challenge that we have in this state for fighting street crime or other events like this is when communities and police become separate,” Buren said. “If the community trusts the police and the police in turn, trust their own communities and cooperate. It is a force multiplier on an exponential basis in terms of effective justice and policing.”
Also from the Roosevelt island daily news
- J and M Train Weekend Service Changes: What Riders Need to KnowJ and M train weekend service changes will impact riders for five weekends as crews replace elevated track switches. Here’s what to expect and how to prepare for modified schedules across Brooklyn and Queens.
- Coastal Flooding Disrupts Southeast Queens Streets and TransitCoastal flooding disrupted streets and transit across Southeast Queens as a fall nor’easter brought heavy rain and renewed calls for resilience and improved drainage.
- Nor’easter Brings Slow Streets and Transit Delays Across Queens and NYCAfter the nor’easter, slow streets and transit delays across Queens and NYC greeted commuters. Utility crews continued repairs as normal routines resumed Monday.
- Nor’easter Brings Flooding and Disruption Across New York CityA powerful nor’easter brings flooding and disruption across New York City, with heavy rain, gusty winds, and coastal flooding impacting neighborhoods through the weekend.
- Fatal Shooting Outside Astoria Gentlemen’s Club During Robbery AttemptA man was fatally shot outside an Astoria gentlemen’s club during a robbery attempt early Thursday. NYPD investigators are seeking witnesses and reviewing video footage as the homicide investigation continues.
Three Newspapers and a Broken Water Fountain
In 2018, Roosevelt Island had three local newspapers and no working drinking fountains. Seven years later, one paper had disappeared, one founder was leaving the country and the word “your” was about to receive a much clearer ending.
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