Governor Andrew Cuomo has proposed increasing the waiting period on background checks to 10 days.
"Earlier this week I stood shoulder to shoulder in solidarity with students who participated in the National Walkout Day as they demanded gun reform. We have heard these students loud and clear and cannot let them down. It is time for politicians to stand up and create real action and policy change," Cuomo said.
The governor touted the SAFE Act, sayng its' the strongest gun safety law in the country. It was passed after the school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut that killed 26 students and educators However, he said it can be made even stronger, arguing the state has to do everything in its power to keep guns out of the hands of people too dangerous to have them.
"This year I have proposed a number of reforms, including preventing individuals with a history of domestic violence from purchasing or owning guns," Cuomo said.
In the aftermath of the school shooting in Parkland, Florida, Governor Cuomo has also called on the federal government to strengthen its gun control laws. He said Congress can't continue to turn a blind eye to gun violence.
"It's time this nation followed New York's lead and passed smart gun safety legislation that keeps guns away from those who will use them for evil. Too many children have died because of Washington's failure to act," Cuomo said last month.
Cuomo also joined the governors of New Jersey, Connecticut and Rhode Island to create "States for Gun Safety," a coalition to combat gun violence.
The goal of is to better share information through a multi-state database. That will supplement the federal National Instant Criminal Background Check System, while also tracing and intercepting guns that are used in crimes and guns that are transported across state borders.
"Let's do something real and let's make a difference. This has been handled by countries across the globe. We can handle it if we want to. If we have the political courage and the political will to do it. It's that simple," Governor Cuomo said when announcing the coalition.
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