NYPD Gun Registry Faces Legal Challenge
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The New York City Police Department's registry of gun-wielding felons could soon be in jeopardy.
The four-year-old registry faces a legal challenge in the state court of appeals by lawyers for repeat felon Sean Smith.
Smith was stopped in Manhattan with a loaded nine millimeter semiautomatic.
Smith's lawyer says his client shouldn't have to register and report to the NYPD every six months for four years after he gets out of prison.
He says state law and parole provisions trump the city's measure.
City officials say the registry law legally overlaps state laws, and deters felons, who police say are four times more likely to commit homicides.
The court of appeals will hear arguments this month, and is expected to rule in December.