Gunshow Undercover - Arizona - A Project of the City of New York

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Just two weeks after the tragic shooting in Tucson, Arizona, private investigators went to a gun show in Phoenix, Arizona -- one of thousands of such shows that occur across the country every year -- to test two basic questions:

How easy is it to buy a gun without a background check?

• Answer: In a matter of minutes, an investigator purchased a Glock 9 millimeter and two high capacity magazines, similar to the weapon used by Jared Loughner, without background checks.

And, would unlicensed sellers sell guns to people who said they probably could not pass a background check?

• Answer: Yes. An undercover investigator purchased two 9 millimeter pistols from two different sellers, even after the investigator told the sellers that "I probably couldn't pass a background check."

Private gun sales, like those at gun shows, occur with no background checks, and provide a dangerous loophole that fuels the interstate and international market for illegal guns. These loopholes in our system make it too easy for dangerous people to get their hands on guns.

You can also watch videos from the 2009 Gun Show Undercover Investigation where 19 of 30 private sellers - 63% - broke the law by completing a sale to a buyer who they thought could not pass a background check.


Sign the petition:
http://www.gunshowundercover2009.org.

At a gun show in Phoenix , Arizona on January 23, 2011, an undercover investigator bought a Glock 9mm similar to the one used by the shooter in Tucson 15 days before and three 33-round extended magazines, no questions, no background check.

It is illegal for a dealer to sell a gun to someone they suspect could not pass a background check. Watch what private sellers at a Phoenix, Arizona gun show did when an undercover investigator said he probably couldn't pass a background check.

It is illegal for a dealer to sell a gun to someone they suspect could not pass a background check. Watch what private sellers at a Phoenix, Arizona gun show did when an undercover investigator said he probably couldn't pass a background check.

Recent Statements from NYC Public Advocate Bill DeBlasio on Gun Control Matters...

STATEMENT BY PUBLIC ADVOCATE DE BLASIO ON TAKING HIGH-CAPACITY CLIPS FOR HANDGUNS OFF THE MARKET – January 14^th

The Glock handgun used in last Saturday’s horrific shooting in Tucson, Arizona fired off 33 rounds before its owner, Jared Lee Loughner, was wrestled to the ground as he paused to reload. In that time, he wounded 13 people including Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. He killed six others, including 9-year-old Christina Green.

Until it expired in 2004, the Assault Weapons Ban stopped 33-round clips like the one used in Arizona from being manufactured and sold to civilians. Since that time, these clips have flooded the marketplace.

With Congress unlikely to act on this danger and pass legislation, we must do everything we can here in New York City to fight the rising tide of gun violence.

Yesterday, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio joined the New York Post in calling on the New York City Police Department to start buying the firearms they need from a different company until Glock agrees to stop selling 30-round magazines to consumers.

Too often we forget the potential of our enormous purchasing power to convince businesses to act more responsibly. This is an opportunity to use this asset the right way.

Click here to read today’s New York Post article on the proposal.

STATEMENT BY PUBLIC ADVOCATE DE BLASIO ON GLOCK HIGH CAPACITY GUN MAGAZINES - January 13, 2011

“This week Mayor Bloomberg has once again shown national leadership on the issue of gun control by urging new steps be taken to curb illegal gun sales. The Mayor is not alone in highlighting the need for new action on the issue of gun control in the aftermath of the Arizona tragedy. The New York Post editorial board has rightly argued that the Glock manufactured 30-round magazines, like the one used by clearly disturbed Jared Loughner, present an unacceptable risk to human life and at the same time no justifiable civilian purpose. If Glock will not stop selling these magazines to consumers, then the New York City Police Department should start buying the firearms they need from a different company.”

STATEMENT BY PUBLIC ADVOCATE DE BLASIO ON MAYOR BLOOMBERG’S CALL FOR NEW FEDERAL GUN CONTROLS - January 11, 2011

“I commend Mayor Bloomberg for speaking out today in favor of more vigorous steps to curb illegal guns, and for the leadership he has shown through the Mayors Against Illegal Guns coalition. We must heed one of the clearest lessons of Saturday’s shooting in Tucson, Arizona: there are too many guns in violent hands. It is a lesson just as urgent to us here in New York following the shooting deaths of three people yesterday in the span of just four hours. The assassination attempt on Congresswoman Giffords and the murder of six bystanders should be a rallying moment for this country to adopt more commonsense gun reforms.”

Queens Representatives On Fight For Gun Legislation - NY1 Online: Inside City Hall - NY1.com

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NY1 VIDEO: Queens Congressmen Gregory Meeks and Joseph Crowley appeared on Monday's edition of "Inside City Hall" to discuss whether the shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords should lead to a renewed discussion of federal gun laws.

NY's Gillibrand Hailed by Brady Gun Control Group - The Associated Press

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New York Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand has been endorsed for election by a leading gun control group two years after earning a top rating from the National Rifle Association.

The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence notes Gillibrand had been an NRA favorite when she was an upstate congresswoman in a Republican district. But the group says in less than two years as an appointed U.S. senator she has become a leader in sensible gun laws.

Gillibrand was appointed to fill Hillary Rodham Clinton's Senate seat last year after Clinton was named secretary of state. She accepted the Brady endorsement Thursday, saying it reflects her opposition to illegal guns and her efforts to combat gun violence.

Polls show Gillibrand with wide leads over GOP candidates Bruce Blakeman, David Malpass and Joseph DioGuardi.

Press Release: New Yorkers Against Gun Violence & GunFreeKids.org

Gun Violence Prevention Supporters Help Lead the Way to Historic Majority in the State Senate

(New York): New Yorkers Against Gun Violence and GunFreeKids.org endorsed the winners in two important Senate races this week: Joseph Addabbo beating Senator Serphin Maltese of Queens and Brian Foley, besting Senator Caesar Trunzo in Suffolk County. In the run up to Tuesday's election, gun violence prevention advocates rated candidates for the State Senate and Assembly and endorsed nearly three dozen. In these two high profile Senate races, the NRA-endorsed candidates - long-time incumbents both lost, thus opening the door for new leadership in the State Senate. In the Assembly, nineteen of our endorsed incumbents won re-election. Three of the incumbents prevailed despite challengers who had received "A" ratings and support from the NRA.

Jackie Hilly, Executive Director of New Yorkers Against Gun Violence, said: "The law abiding citizens of New York State have spoken. They are tired of the non-sense and inaction of the State Senators like Maltese and Trunzo who along with their many of their colleagues have stood in the way of sensible gun legislation in New York. With their departure, New Yorkers can now expect the Senate to take action on legislation that has lingered for far long. Microstamping, gun dealer regulation and employee background checks for gun dealer employees are all important bills to help law enforcement officers throughout the state We need to give our law enforcement officers all the tools they need to investigate, arrest and prosecute criminals who use illegal weapons "

The State Senate now has a majority of members who understand the need for sensible gun legislation. Andy Pelosi, Executive Director of GunFreeKids.org, said "The results from Tuesday's election send a clear signal that it won't be business as usual in the State Senate come January. In the past, advocates watched helplessly as strong gun violence prevention measures would pass in the Assembly, only to fail to see the light of day in the Senate. We are now optimistic that new leadership will take on the state's gun problem instead of cowering to the gun lobby."

Paul Helmke, President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. "We now look forward to passing legislation to help keep dangerous guns out of the hands of dangerous people."

The list of endorsed candidates and the legislative scorecard can be found on each organizations' website (www.nyagv.org) and (www.gunfreekids.org).

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New York State Senator Serphin Maltese’s Voting Record and Positions on Guns - Gun Free Kids.org

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New York State Senator Serphin Maltese’s Voting Record and Positions on Guns

In 2008, Sen. Maltese declined an opportunity to sponsor legislation to assist law enforcement in their efforts to solve gun-related crimes. The legislation, passed by the Assembly as A.9819-A), would mandate that all new semi-automatic pistols manufactured, sold or brought into New York State be equipped with microstamping technology to aid law enforcement in solving gun-related crimes.

Other Important NY Senate Votes:

1997 (S.5498) 5-year renewable handgun permits for Westchester County. Supported by GunFreeKids

Maltese voted NO (bill passed Senate and signed into law)

1998 (S.397) Would make it easier to obtain a concealed carry weapon permit. Opposed by GunFreeKids

Maltese Voted YES (bill passed by the Senate only)

2000 (S.8234) Nine measures, including assault weapons ban, ballistic imaging, closing of gun show loophole, age 21 to possess or own handgun, safety locks to be sold with all guns and 24 hour reporting of all lost & stolen guns. Supported by GunFreeKids

Maltese, only member of NYC delegation to VOTE NO (bill passed by both houses and signed into law)

2003/2004 Session (S.3805). Increased penalties for possession and trafficking. Supported by GunFreeKids

Maltese voted YES. (unanimous vote, passed by both houses and signed into law).

Gun Lobby Ratings:

Received “A” rating from the New York State Rifle & Pistol Association in 2006

Gun Violence Prevention Groups Endorse New York State Senate Candidates - Joe Addabbo Endorsed in SD-15 Race | NewsLI.com

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Three major gun violence prevention organizations today announced their endorsements in several New York State Senate races. New Yorkers Against Gun Violence (NYAGV), GunFreeKids.org, and The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence along with its Million Mom March Chapters work together to help protect New Yorkers from the threat of gun violence and support candidates who support strong gun laws. The endorsed candidates announced today include three incumbents and three challengers.

“The three incumbents we endorse today have been strong leaders in the fight to enact life-saving legislation,” said Jackie Hilly, Executive Director of NYAGV. “New York State needs more Senators that share their ideals and will work hard for sensible gun laws. We can make a real difference in the fight against gun violence when our elected officials work with us to remove illegal weapons from New York communities.”

“For nearly eight years, the leadership in the State Senate has blocked almost every piece of common-sense gun legislation passed by the Assembly,” said Andy Pelosi, President of GunFreeKids.org. “It’s time for good policy to trump politics in the State Senate.”

This year microstamping and improved gun dealer regulations – both important law enforcement tools to help investigate and pursue crime guns and the criminals who use them – are at the top of the groups’ agendas. In 2008, the State Assembly passed both bills, but the Senate refused to act.

“We make it too easy for dangerous people to get dangerous weapons, and these candidates will fight for common sense gun laws to help keep our children and our families safe,” said Paul Helmke, President of the Brady Campaign.

The Endorsed State Senate Candidates Are:

Brian Foley, Third Senate District (Long Island)
Senator Malcolm Smith, 14th Senate District (Queens)
Joseph Addabbo, Jr., 15th Senate District (Queens)
Senator Eric Schneiderman, 31st Senate District (Manhattan/Bronx)
Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, 35th Senate District (Westchester)
Rick Dollinger, 56th Senate District (Greater Rochester)

New Yorkers Against Gun Violence (NYAGV) is a statewide advocacy group working to build public awareness of the devastating impact of gun violence in New York and across the country, while advocating for sensible gun legislation on the city, state and federal levels. Visit NYAGV at www.NYAGV.org

GunFreeKids.org is working to help empower voters in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and other states to participate in gun violence prevention activities in their communities and to support state-based candidates who favor strong gun laws. Find out more at www.GunFreeKids.org

As the nation’s largest, non-partisan, grassroots organization leading the fight to prevent gun violence, the Brady Campaign, with its dedicated network of Million Mom March Chapters, works to enact and enforce sensible gun laws, regulations and public policies. The Brady Campaign is devoted to creating an America free from gun violence, where all Americans are safe at home, at school, at work, and in our communities.

Visit the Brady Campaign website at www.bradycampaign.org.