Contact: Brian Pacheco, Director of Public Relations
t. 212-577-7709 | c. 646-306-1136 | e. Brian.Pacheco@safehorizon.org
August 2, 2017 (NEW YORK, NY) – Safe Horizon’s CEO, Ariel Zwang, made the following statement on Rep. Chris Collins’s proposed law – the Second Amendment Guarantee Act (SAGA) — which would overturn New York’s tough gun control law The SAFE Act.
“As the nation’s leading victim assistance organization, Safe Horizon recognizes the need for effective gun control laws that keep New Yorkers safe. In 2013, Safe Horizon proudly supported passage of the New York Safe Act, bi-partisan supported legislation to implement a series of gun control measures, including instituting universal background checks on all gun purchases and mandatory safe storage of firearms in households occupied by domestic violence offenders. When domestic violence survivors are five times more likely to be killed if their abusers own a gun, this law is critically important.
Additionally, a 2015 study by the Violence Policy Center found that New York had the third lowest rate of gun deaths in the country, despite being the fourth most populous state. While even one death is too many, the study clearly shows correlations between strong gun laws and fewer gun deaths.
Representative Collins’ misguided and likely unconstitutional proposal to undermine laws like the NY SAFE Act will put our most vulnerable New Yorkers, including victims of domestic violence, at risk of increased gun violence and death. We urge Congress to summarily reject this proposal.”