Amendment to NY's Gun Law Under Discussion

Senate Republicans have pressed for changes to the state’s strictest-in-the-nation gun control laws which were approved on January 14. They’d like to amend the law to once again allow for 10 bullets per magazine, as opposed to the 7-bullet limit under the new law.

Proponents say the change is needed because currently no seven-bullet magazines are manufactured. Three spaces would have to be left empty.

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver did not rule out the change, and said it was under discussion among legislative leaders and Governor Cuomo.  

“From a practical matter, we’re discussing it,” said Silver. “I don’t want to say I’m open to it.”

Silver said he understands government functions better “when people are open to compromise." He remained non-committal about the proposal.

Governor Cuomo said he’s open to “technical” changes in the law to correct any inadvertent errors. But he said that returning to a limit of 10 bullets per magazine, even if three are required to kept empty, is more than just a technical change.