Recent high-profile mass shootings in Buffalo, N.Y. and Uvalde (Texas) have fueled federal efforts to pass gun control legislation.
The House approved a bill this week that would increase the age limit to purchase a semi-automatic weapon and ban the sale of ammunition magazines containing more than 15 rounds. The bill passed on party lines, but it is unlikely to become law. The Senate negotiators are currently debating a limited set of proposals that address issues such as school safety, mental healthcare programs, and incentives for states creating red flag laws.
These tragedies have also prompted some state changes, such as New York’s bill that raised the minimum age to purchase and own semi-automatic guns to 21. New York’s gun laws are some of the most restrictive in the country, but a Supreme Court ruling could change that.
On Wednesday, Eric Adams, the New York Mayor, testified before the House Committee on Oversight and Reform. He was a former officer in law enforcement and said that it is “high noon” in America. He called on Congress for common-sense gun reform.
These measures include banning assault weapons and increasing background checks. They also direct more funding to localities and states for healthcare, education, and housing.
He stated that the crisis is killing more Americans than the war. “A crisis that is now number one. Our young people are the number one cause of death. This is a crisis that is threatening our cities with illegal weapons faster than we can remove them from the streets.
He stated that while the New York Police Department had taken over 3,000 illegal firearms from the streets of the city this year, the guns “just keep coming.”
Morning Edition spoke with Adams about gun violence and New York City’s approach to it.
This interview was edited to be more concise and clear.
New York City’s problem with gun violence is not unique.
It’s not just New York City that is in question, it’s the whole country. We are witnessing the proliferation of guns. A system is feeding young people violence due to the availability of guns and lack of support services. This is not an approach that I would call intervention or prevention.
The crises in Chicago are being caused by lax laws in other states. These guns are being fed into the city. One gun stolen from a Virginia car was used in five shootings, including two deaths.
How New York City addresses gun violence
Intervention refers to what we do on neighborhood safety teams. We get police officers to interact with gun-carrying citizens because we have to take them off the streets, and get support from other arms of criminal justice. You must be there.
This year, we removed more than 3,000 guns from our streets. In April and May, we saw a 30% drop in shootings and homicides. The plan we set up is paying off. To every agency in the city, we’re saying: “Gun violence must be solved by all.”
Gun rights advocates argue that people are safer if they have their own firearm.
First of all, it is clear that police officers who live in states with no gun laws are three times more likely than those who live in them to be killed by guns. It is simply not true when people claim that they are safer because someone is innocent or a civilian is carrying a gun.
Guns are not just deadly because of violence; a significant number of people die from suicide as a result. People have the tendency to feel that if they carry guns they should use them. Sometimes, basic disputes can become a gunfight between legal gun owners. We are seeing this in our streets where basic disputes turn into gunfights with illegal gun carriers. We need to wake up and realize that our children are being killed by the NRA’s fixation on gun manufacturers.
Adams is a moderate Democrat and sees his gun control advocacy to be progressive.
Progressive is not a term I use. It’s a term I don’t know. I am a pragmatic, sensible and elected public official. What I believe in is getting our guns off the streets. I believe we must get rid of dangerous people from our streets.
This is America’s problem. The far-left, which believes that no one should be held responsible for their criminal acts, is now fighting the far-right, who believes that guns should not be denied to anyone who wants one. While innocent Americans and New Yorkers are being caught in the crossfire, they are arguing with each other.
So I believe that the overwhelming majority of New Yorkers agree with my views and positions. They support sensible, pragmatic gun laws. They don’t believe dangerous people should be allowed to remain on the streets. Let’s forget about the labels of far-left or far-right and do what is right for America. We must keep our children safe.
This interview was recorded by Ziad Buchh, Sean Saldana and edited by Natalie Schachar.
