States should follow New York legislative success

One month and one day after the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown Conn., New York became the first state in the country to pass tougher gun control legislation. Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the bill into law Tuesday afternoon after its passage in the New York State Assembly.

With much of the national- and state-level discourse consumed with issues of gun control, it is monumental that New York state achieved this legislative success. By simply taking action, it is a positive sign – especially at this time of concern for much of the country – that such an influential state has taken the first initiative to make a difference in an area of the American legal system that needs to be addressed.

In New York, bipartisan efforts made this change possible. The state Senate, run by a Republican-dominated coalition, passed the law late Monday in a vote of 43-18. On Tuesday afternoon, it was approved 104-43 by the Democrat-controlled Assembly.

Fellow states should follow in the momentum New York is creating by reaching their own bipartisan compromises that are not necessarily identical to New York’s, but that comply with the people’s beliefs of each respective state.

The passed New York law requires more background checks for gun buyers, increased mental health provisions, banning more military-style weapons and strengthened limitations on high-capacity magazines, ammunition and guns.

Though this is a large, positive step in the right direction, the legislature should continue to explore every possible angle of gun control.

The nation has recognized the need to make changes concerning gun control legislation. New York’s law addresses many aspects of the extremely controversial issues consuming the topic. This is a significant stride the rest of the United States should acknowledge.