New York's governor has issued new emergency measures to fight gun violence, as he made it easier for shooting victims to sue gun manufacturers, RTE reports.
Andrew Cuomo declared gun violence a ‘disaster emergency,’ against a backdrop of rising crime in New York City and across the United States.
He said that over the 4 July holiday weekend, at least 51 people were shot in New York State.
He unveiled special measures aimed at curbing an increase in shootings that have beset New York City since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in spring last year.
“If you look at the recent numbers, more people are now dying from gun violence and crime than Covid,” Mr. Cuomo said in a press release. “This is a national problem but someone has to step up and address this problem because our future depends on it,” he added.
The governor said he was appointing a special coordinator for the prevention of gun violence attached to the state's health services.
The office will have to coordinate with social services, prison services, police forces and others.
A special police unit to fight the trafficking of firearms from other states will also be created.
Mr. Cuomo also announced $138 million of investment in intervention and prevention programmes, including $76 million to create jobs for young people deemed most at risk.
