Hudson Valley City Considers Controversial Firearms Law
A major Hudson Valley city is considering a law that would make it mandatory for all gun owners to store their weapons in a locked safe.
During The City of Poughkeepsie Common Counsel meeting on April 6 a proposal was put forward that would require owners of firearms, rifles, shotguns or air guns to follow new storage laws.
According to a copy of the proposal that was obtained by the New York State Rifle and Pistol Association, the proposal states:
No person shall store a firearm, rifle, shotgun or air gun in a dwelling in the City unless said (weapon) is completely enclosed or contained in a nontransparent locked carrying case or in a locked gun rack, cabinet, closet or safe, or a locking device is attached to the weapon and locked in a matter so as to prevent the weapon from being fired.
New Yorkers Against Gun Violence have been petitioning local governments to support "Nicholas' Law" named for 12-year-old Nicholas Naumkin from Saratoga who died after being shot by a friend who was playing with his father's unlocked gun.
A similar law was recently passed and implemented in the City of Buffalo.
Debate over the proposed ordinance from the April 6 City of Poughkeepsie Common Council meeting has been posted on YouTube:
What do you think? Is this a law you believe would help save lives or is it a violation of gun owners' rights?