Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law Monday morning a series of new laws for New York State taking aim at restricting access to guns in response to the deadly mass shootings happening all over the United States including Buffalo, Uvalde, Tulsa and Philadelphia.
"It just keeps happening. Shots ring out, flags come down and nothing ever changes... except here in New York," said Governor Hochul.
There were ten laws signed Monday including raising the age to purchase assault weapons from 18 to 21.
"In New York, we are taking bold, strong action. We're tightening the red flag laws to keep guns away from dangerous people and we're raising the age of semi-automatic weapons, so no 18-year-old can walk in on their birthday and walk out with an AR 15," said the Governor.
Another law on the book is the microstamping of new weapons, which could aid police in solving gun-related crimes.
"We are microstamping bullets so law enforcement can have an easier time catching criminals and we are closing loopholes so that firearms that are being so cleverly manufactured or altered can not evade our laws any more," Hochul said.
Additional laws include the banning of body armor sales, restricting the ammo magazine size, requiring licenses for assault weapons sales, data sharing and reporting of guns by law enforcement to state and federal databases.
Social media is a common tool used by many including the 18-year-old Buffalo shooter, who posted his manifesto and live streamed his carnage online. Social media is now required to report and monitor hate speech and conduct on their platforms.
"We're going to establish a taskforce on social media and violent extremism to investigate the role of social media in promoting domestic terror and our great leader, our Attorney General, will be championing this cause with every power her office can bring it at their disposal," said Governor Hochul.
“Today is the start, and it’s not the end. Thoughts and prayers won’t fix this, but taking strong action will. We will do that in the name of the lives that have been lost, for the parents who will no longer see their children stepping off the school bus," said Hochul.
"People deserve to be safe going about their daily lives. They should not have to worry about getting gunned down while shopping on a beautiful Saturday afternoon," said Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown.
"In Buffalo, a white supremacist traveled three and a half hours to our community with the stated purpose of killing as many black people as possible. As President Biden said when he came to Buffalo to comfort the families, 'Evil will not win, hate will not win.' This day of action is about making sure that it doesn't win in New York State," said Mayor Brown.
To listen to the full announcement, see the player below