U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh will announce a new federal gun trafficking legislation Friday in Syracuse.
The Hadiya Pendleton and Nyasia Pryear-Yard Gun Trafficking & Crime Prevention Act would amend the federal criminal code to make trafficking in firearms a federal crime and establish fines and penalties for those who knowingly ship, transport or transfer firearms to an individual not legally allowed to possess a gun.
This bill would also go after individuals who act as organizers of gun trafficking operations.
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, there are more than 400,000 gun crimes committed resulting in about 14,000 homicides each year.
Senator Gillibrand stated last year more than 5,000 kids were shot nationwide and this year firearm deaths were up 13%. She later mentioned more children and teens have been shot at this point than in 2020.
Senator Gillibrand said, "To tackle gun violence here in Syracuse must be coupled with federal legislation for more widespread and permanent change.”
The Senator said the increase of illegal guns being trafficked has grown in the united states and she proposes to make gun trafficking a federal crime and put penalties and fines in place, which include up to 20 years in prison.
She said, "We know that 60% of guns that are used in crimes here in Syracuse are trafficked from out of state.”
Hellen Hudson, Common Council President later adding the illegal guns were coming from North Carolina.
"We need help and we need help from our federal government. We need help changing some of the laws and the way they’re written," said Hudson. “Help us. Help us keep our children safe and help us keep our children breathing."
Senator Gillibrand says gun violence is a constant, chronic, horrendous reality for too many but she believes people on Capitol Hill are very optimistic that these issues can be addressed and she can get the bill passed since Congress has a Democratic majority by reaching 60 votes.