Welcome to a weekly series here on Pew Pew Tactical dedicated to the gun news you need to know.
So, keep reading for this week’s notable news headlines…
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NY Governor Signs Half Dozen New Gun Laws
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed six new measures targeting guns earlier this month.
Included in the pack of legislation:
- Legislation S8479A/A9862A: Requires credit and debit card companies to track firearms and ammunition sales at licensed dealers.
- Legislation S6649/A2882: Requires FFLs and gunsmiths to post labels (a la tobacco style warnings) informing buyers of increased risk of suicide, death during domestic violence, and unintentional death to children. Signage is required wherever guns are sold.
- Legislation S7365B/A10053A: Adds “pistol converter” to the state’s definitions and amends the General Business Law requiring that gun companies now take “reasonable steps” to prevent pistol converter use and installation on their firearms.
- Legislation S3340/A5873 & Legislation A7717B/S8589A: Expands extreme risk protection order (a.k.a. red flag laws). Requires court to notify statewide registry when temporary or final ERPO is issued and allows police agencies – instead of individual officers – to count as petitioners in an ERPO proceeding.
- Legislation S9760/A10356A: Requires that FFLs provide information on statewide resources about safe storage of guns, child access prevention, and violence prevention. Also requires that the State create a public awareness campaign with digital and hardcopy resources related to safe storage of guns and child access prevention.
Gun control advocates, including former Representative Gabby Giffords, were on hand as Hochul signed the legislation.
“New Yorkers deserve to live free from the fear of gun violence,” Giffords said in a statement.
“The bills signed into law today by Governor Hochul will make New York safer and undoubtedly save lives. New York continues to lead the nation with some of the strongest gun laws in the country. GIFFORDS is grateful for Governor Hochul and New York legislators’ continued leadership in the fight to prevent gun violence.”
Hochul pointed to a 47% decline in so-called gun violence since she took office and said the new measures are the next steps in protecting New Yorkers.
“Gun violence is an epidemic that is tearing our country apart. Thoughts and prayers won’t fix this, but taking strong action will,” Governor Hochul said. “I am proud to sign this bill package that will help enhance safety across New York. While we are taking expedient action to enhance New York State’s nation-leading gun laws, we recognize that gun violence is a nationwide problem. I once again urge Congress to follow our lead and take immediate action to pass meaningful gun violence prevention measures. Lives depend on it.”
Hawaii & Michigan Unveil Gun Tip Line to Report Gun Crimes
Hawaii and Michigan unveiled plans to enact taxpayer-funded tip lines to allow citizens to anonymously report various gun violations.
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green (F) announced the state’s confidential gun tip line encouraging Hawaiians to report illegal gun ownership and crimes. The tip line uses traditional lines of reporting like phone calls and text, or the Department of Law Enforcement website or app to submit photographs and video evidence with their report.
“The Gun Tip Line offers another way the public can assist law enforcement in protecting our neighborhoods,” Director Jordan Lowe said in a statement.
“Guns that have been stolen, guns that haven’t been registered, and guns in the wrong hands are often used to commit crimes. The consequences can be tragic. So, if you see something, send something to the Gun Tip Line and help us make Hawai‘i safer.”
However, Hawaii isn’t the only state advocating for citizens to report unsafe behavior, as Michigan has also enacted a tip line for its residents.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) signed several measures into law, one of which would allocate resources for a tip line for students to report “improperly stored firearms” accessible to minors. In total, $1 million was allocated to support the tip line.
“These commonsense, bipartisan bills will help us build a brighter future for Michigan by making key investments in our schools, students, and teachers,” said Whitmer.
Though Hawaii and Michigan’s tip lines target lawbreakers, some 2A advocates say there are concerns the systems will be abused.
“This ‘tipline’ could result in unwarranted interactions with law enforcement and unfettered searches of homes, businesses, and other places where firearms could be stored,” NRA-ILA warned in a blog post about Michigan’s new measure.
Sig Sauer Arkansas Ammo Plant Opens
Sig Sauer’s new 210,000 sq. ft. ammunition factory has officially opened in Arkansas.
Dubbed the Jacksonville, Arkansas Ammunition Center, the purpose of the new digs is to service the U.S. Army’s Next Generation Squad Weapons Program. Sig is the only source for the Army’s 6.8x51mm ammo line.
The JAAC is a $225 million investment that the company says is expected to bring over 670 jobs to the area and “over $300 million in total economic impact.”
Sig CEO Ron Cohen, U.S. Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark), Maj. Gen. John T. Reim, and Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders were on hand for the ribbon cutting.
“In just one year, we have built a manufacturing facility that will stand for generations with the mission to provide our soldiers an ammunition technology advantage in lethality and overmatch versus our enemies,” Cohen said at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “This incredible facility gives us the ability to significantly scale manufacturing and grow our output for years to come – and this is only the beginning.”
“We live in precarious times and Sig is in a unique position to participate in the herculean effort to change our ground forces, and better protect our country and our allies,” Cohen added.
This is not the first time Sig has set up shop in Arkansas. In 2016, the company relocated its nascent ammo operations from Kentucky to Arkansas, a project that expanded further in 2021 with a $12 million investment.
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One of numerous reasons why I moved out of New York State and to a friendly 2nd Amendment state.
Someone should report the state governors and legislature members to the tip lines.