New York State governor signs toughest gun control bill in U.S. into law

Key Words: about gun control; gun control; Anti-guns;Bill of rights;New York;against;

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NEW YORK, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday signed the NY Safe Act following the Assembly has voted overwhelmingly in favor of the bill, which was seen as the toughest gun control law in the nation and the first since the Newtown school shooting.

"We're very excited and proud of our state," said Cuomo after he has signed the bill into law. "This was an extraordinary accomplishment by the legislature of this state, and this is a gun control bill that exercises common sense."

According to the governor, the law that he describes as "a comprehensive package that makes a real difference" will serve as a groundbreaking leg to better protect New York State from senseless gun violence, which limits the dangerous mental illness to have access to guns.

The Assembly voted in favor of the bill 104-43, and the bill was passed by the Senate 43-18 late Monday, six days after making the gun control a centerpiece of the governor's progressive agenda in his State of the State address.

The bipartisan effort was fueled by the Newtown tragedy that took the lives of 20 elementary school students and six teachers. "At what point do you say, 'No more innocent loss of life".

"This bill is about protecting people, protecting our children, protecting our families," Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said Tuesday.

One of the provisions in the sweeping gun control bill requires therapists and doctors to tell government authorities if they believe a patient is likely to harm himself or others, and a patient's gun could be taken from him or her.

Under current state law, assault weapons are defined by having two "military rifle" features spelled out in the law. The current law reduces that to one feature and includes the popular pistol grip.

It also forces gun owners to renew their licenses every five years, stiffens penalties for using a gun in the commission of a crime and for bringing a gun on school property.

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