We have a lot of people calling, e-mailing and tweeting that there should be a ban on the sale of all guns. I'm wondering if they really believe this will solve the problem. It sounds like a simple solution, but it's not so easy. There are already so many guns on the streets already, stopping someone from legally getting a hold of a firearm now would be taking away an American's right to safety. There is no simple answer, which is why there are no laws without loopholes.

Democratic State lawmakers want to pass the first new gun control laws in the nation since the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. At a rally today at City Hall, they called for bans on all assault rifles and high-capacity ammunition magazines.

Governor Cuomo supports the tougher stance, but the Republican-controlled Senate hasn't endorsed these ideas in the past. Senate Republicans support a crackdown on illegal guns and increasing sentences for criminals who use them. What do you say?

Should Albany lawmakers pass a ban on automatic weapons that aren't used for hunting or sport? Do you think the massacre in Newtown will change the opinions of gun enthusiasts? What ideas do you have to curb gun violence?

Send your thoughts using the link above.

I call for a ban on all politicians who want to ban guns. They are in violation of the Second Amendment. And they are attempting to disarm American citizens, making it illegal to defend oneself.

It's way past time for the hysteria and the arguments from emotion to stop.

Neither a gun nor bullets killed the kids in CT. A man who was either a maniac or mentally disturbed, killed them. Had an armed teacher or security guard been on premise, perhaps their lives could have been saved.

Joe
Port Richmond, SI

Forget the politics. A ban on assault weapons is mandated. Our representatives have sat on this to long and they now have blood on their hands. They should stop tooting their horn, before they are put out of office for a failure to protect the citizens of this country.

Oscar
park Hill
Staten Island

I support the ban on assault rifles that should've happened years ago, republicans at the state and federal need to stop obstructing gun laws that are sensible and that will safe lives.

Felix Bay Ridge

There used to be mental practitioners in the schools besides the school nurse. The root of the gun problem starts with mental illness. There needs to be more therapist etc. to deal with emotional problems then you can get to the root of these massacres.

Jeanne
Brooklyn, NY

One more time. It's the illegal guns on the streets. There are to many out there.
Why do this now? You all had years to propose something and now everyone wants to be the first to try to do something. The licensed gun carrier does obey the law.

ALL OF YOU POLITICIANS HAVE YOUR OWN PROTECTION OF EVERY KIND AND NOW YOU WANT TO TELL US WE CAN'T HAVE WEAPONS WITH A VALID LICENSE TO CARRY.
WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO PROTECT OURSELVES, PROPERTY AND FAMILY.

Remember we already covered the topic about getting guns off the streets and everyone came outside and picketed on the different streetcorners and we were asked will this change anything and it didn't. I myself said no at the time. Wasn't Sharpton there? He was so adamant about how he's going to stop it and change everything. Where is he now?.

maxxiee
mp

What do lawmakers disagree on? Does a republican lawmakers loved one have to die for them to revise gun rules?

Jimmy the Bronx.

What in the world would anyone other than the military or police need assault weapons for?
Also large capacity magazines are insane.
I cant believe this is a debate.

Bruce
Union sq

Its easy to control. STOP SELLING GUNS. Thats all

Pushpika

While I can understand the need for guns for protection and sport guns are dangerous when they fall into the wrong hands. I feel there should be some kind of training with the purchase of a gun or riffle and consequences if the weapon is not secured and falls into the wrong hands.

Joanne

By definition, an assault weapon is a military grade firearm which can fire as a full-automatic. These weapons are not available to the law abiding public and can only be procured illegally. Many semi-automatic firearms can be customized to give them an almost identical look, however, they can only fire one bullet with one pull of the trigger. Its like owning a Lamborghini thats powered by a lawnmower engine; all bark, no bite. Most of the public is not aware of this simple fact.

Vincent

I believe the gun law debate issue is on the wrong issue. Even though i believe guns are the problem. It should be on Bullet/ ammo control. As you need a prescription to get controlled substances, As you need even to show I.d. to buy even sudafed you should be required to get a permit to buy bullets. Bullets are not a constitutional right.

That author who said more guns is the answer is crazy! I don't want to see teachers or janitors being armed. More guns is not the answer. This is not the Wild Wild West!

David from woodhaven

First off, Assembly Brian Kavanagh is living in denial. Yes there are logical and law abiding gun owners. And yes most gun Owens agree with a lot of the regulations being proposed, but to think for one second that law abiding gun owners will just "turn in" there guns regardless of how they came into possession of it is just delusional. Banning something to the public, then assuming that people who already have this banned item will just give it up sounds like a Communist style attitude. By the way, Author Alan Korwin sounds like he's got the idea. Having even one person armed, if not more, in schools to defend against maniacs with guns sounds like a logical idea to me. Someone with a gun will think twice about attacking defenseless people when confronted with a gun.

Brian
Clinton Hill, Brooklyn

I am strongly in favor of banning the sale of "assault weapons" to anyone not police. There is no excusable reason for anyone to be able to fire 30 rounds at a clip, particularly since the clip is replaceable in seconds.

Patty

The so called expert Mr Keller sounded like Archie Bunker whose idea ro stop hijacking was to arm every passenger as they got on the plain....moron!

Sal Staten island

Response to the caller that said teachers should be armed.

There is a difference between the US and Israel. Everyone serves in the military in Israel and is trained in combat gun use. You can't just arm teachers!

Stephen

I believe mayor Bloomberg should start buying the gun companies and have them retooled to not produce assault weapons. He could start with Kimber Firearms in Yonkers New York.

Graham
Manhattan, NY

Someone at work today suggested we tax bullets HEAVILY. I like that idea.

"If every 8 year old in the world is taught meditation, we will eliminate violence from the world within one generation" -Dalai Lama

Thanks.

Danie
UES

Regarding John's [the caller's] comments.... I'm not sure anyone is advocating banning all guns just assault weapons. Did he prevent those crimes using a bushmaster or a handgun?

Aaron

Having guns in the hands of every member of a school's staff, administration and faculty is a great idea. Children are NEVER involved in accidental shootings.
#obvioussarcasm

- J. Henry, Manhattan

First the shooting at Newton was certainly tragic.

I can see both sides of this because I am both a teacher and a legal gun owner I think that the sudden discussion about assault weapons is a "knee jerk" reaction because
children were involved.

I do not believe that automatic weapons such as AK47's should be sold to the public. These were manufacture red for war However semi automatic weapons ,should be exempt. Most gun owners have weapons to protect themselves. Having only a few round in a crisis will now protect one in a crisis.

Most gun owners own weapons with out incident. Obviously the shooter had mental problems. His mother did not secure her weapons. Ironically during the Amadou Diallo shooting,52 rounds were fired by police . There was no talk about gun control because police shoot an unarmed man. Whenever the police shoot an unarmed citizen, there is no discussion of gun control

Robert
Queens

The phrasing of your question this evening reflects the ignorance of both the media and the public on this issue. First of all I challenge you to get any agreement from your listeners on what an assault weapon is. If you define it as X the industry will create a Y to get around it (kudos to your author who pointed out the falacy of outlawing weapons by name). Second if what I think you are referring to is "military style multi-round rifle guns" then these are mostly unsuitable or outright illegal in most states for hunting purposes. They are only for sport or for killing people.

Harvey

Why would the United Stares emulate the policies of Israel when it has been at war for 50ty years and committed more crimes against humanity than any other nation in the world during that time?

Jimmy
The Bronx

With the latest national movement to use business models for schools, "leaders" have lost sight of their essential function: to guide and educate the whole child. Billions have been spent on consultants, test writers, data systems, analysts amdaterials. Let's use those dollars to create smaller classes, hire more counselors and social workers, and add back more sports, music and art classes, great releases for pent-up kids. Yoga's good, too!

Shelley, Park Slope

I would suggest that it be a mandatory requirement that any and all "Gun Owners" be made to attend a gun owners "GO" meeting at least once a month so that they may be given an opportunity to share any and,all issues that may result in the misuse of a firearm if life matters escalate to any sort of public violence or carnage. If an individual misses his or, her meeting a follow up should be immediately initiated to protect both the public, as well as the licensed gun owner.

Arthur

I don't think the problem per say is assault rifles, most states that allow them don't allow full auto versions and I think that's the right way to go. I will say this a way that a fire arm looks should have no bearing on its legality only it's functionality. A semi auto hunting rifle will work and do just as much damage as a semi auto assault rifle. We should focus more on better fire arm safety and teaching those who want to own as well making sure they're in the right state of mind to own one. The NYC trigger lock law could have help in Connecticut, that fire arms must always be stored with a trigger lock on them.

Mike from Brooklyn

If the killer had a chain saw, he would of achieved the same result. So much more than gun control needs to be addressed. We have become a culture of violence, and over medication. Why is this not being addressed as well.

Ed
Murry Hill

Everyone is screaming change the gun laws we should have gun control. I have not heard one person say anything about trigger locks , gun safes etc. People in the states these guns come out of report my home was burglarized. who knew you had a gun and why wasn't secured. Changing the law is only going to drive this underground. when you have it where you force no on people it only encourages yes I will. States that have full carry or whatever their laws are have less problems.

Edward