FINANCIAL DISTRICT — A proposed federal bill that would let anyone with an open carry license bring their weapon into New York City — including into currently banned places like schools and bars — in a move that would significantly endanger residents here, police and prosecutors said Tuesday.
NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill and Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance stood alongside a dozen officials to urge federal legislators to vote against the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, which has been introduced in both the House and Senate.
“If this bill is passed it it going to make our city less safe," Vance said during a press conference at the Millennium Hotel at 55 Church St., "What that bill intends to do is shocking, it is dangerous, and anybody who works or lives, or has family who works and lives in this city, ought to sit up, pay attention."
The legislation would allow residents from states with less stringent background checks and prohibitions on gun license recipients legally transport their loaded firearms into the city, officials warned.
The bill, which was introduced in Congress early this year, would also override current New York State bans on where guns are allowed including bars and schools, officials said.
The legislation is likely to pass in the House but has the potential to be defeated in the Senate, lawmakers added.
The National Rifle Association has said the bill would help law abiding gun owners from unwittingly breaking the law in another state.
“The current patchwork of state and local gun laws is confusing and can cause the most conscientious and law-abiding gun owner to run afoul of the law when they are traveling or temporarily living away from home,” said Chris W. Cox, executive director of the NRA-ILA, in a statement released on Feb. 27. “Senator Cornyn’s legislation provides a much needed solution to a real problem for law-abiding gun owners.”
