Albany, NY – Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz, member of the Assembly Standing Committee on the Judiciary today called on the Governor to immediately sign all of the remaining six pieces of legislation to combat the proliferation of guns and stopping gun violence passed by both houses of the New York State Legislature several months ago.

"It is very obvious with the orchestrated gang violence that impacted Corona, Queens this past weekend that New York must use all the tools available to fight gun violence in all communities across New York State.The common sense anti-gun violence legislation approved by lawmakers months ago need to be enacted into law now and in conjunction with the New York City gang membership database these law enforcement tools should be deployed immediately to end the scourge of gun violence," Stated Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz.

She added, "That’s why the Assembly Majority recently passed legislation that would prohibit the possession and sale of unfinished firearm frames and receivers, which can be used to build illegal, untraceable guns at home (A.2666-A). The legislative package passed earlier this year would also require licensed gunsmiths to add serial numbers and register “ghost guns” to help law enforcement track down firearms used in crimes (A.613)."

I am proud to have supported legislation passed to fund critical research into the root causes of gun violence and help us address and solve those problems in our state and communities by creating the Gun Violence Research Fund (A.2111), stated Cruz.She added, "The Firearm Violence Research Institute would also be created within the State University of New York, which would lead gun violence research efforts in the state. Establishing this research center would help provide elected officials, government agencies and the public with the data to help prevent gun violence in New York (A.7302)."

In addition Cruz supported the Get Out Stay Out reentry program with a $50,000 grant to help the organization's innovative work to reduce recidivism by helping former inmates obtain an education, gain job skills and support their emotional well-being.

Cruz asserted, "We can’t pretend that gun violence is inevitable and there’s nothing that can be done. There are steps we can take, and we are taking them. Now it's up to the Governor to sign these measures into law!"