New York enacts 'toughest' gun law in US
Rapid reaction to Newtown school massacre fuels national debate on guns
New York has passed what supporters called the toughest gun ownership law in the country, becoming the first US state to impose new restrictions in the wake of last month's school massacre in Connecticut.
Lawmakers in the lower house of the state Assembly on Tuesday voted 104-43 in favour of the measure, which had been approved by the upper house in a 43-18 vote late Monday.
Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo, who rushed through the legislation, welcomed the assembly's overwhelming support, saying: "We are fighting back."
"I am proud to be a New Yorker today," Cuomo said as he signed the law. "Not just because New York has the first bill, but because New York has the best bill."
The measures, which include an expanded ban on sales of military-style assault rifles, were linked directly to the national horror at the December 14 massacre of 20 six- and seven-year-olds and six staff at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.
Those killings sparked a major national debate over the need to curb America's liberal gun laws. US President Barack Obama was due yesterday to unveil his own proposals.
New York's rapid action on the opening days of its new session grabbed national attention and ramped up momentum for supporters of sweeping new restrictions, particularly on assault rifles - the kind of weapon the Newtown killer used.