As part of state budget negotiations, Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State legislature struck a deal that creates stricter gun control rules for people convicted of domestic violence. Attorney Barry Covert spoke to WGRZ about this change and what it could mean for the state going forward. The full story is available on the WGRZ website.
Guns to be confiscated
Under this new rule, WGRZ reports that convicted domestic abusers in New York State will have their firearms confiscated. The rule requires confiscation of guns and broadens the current law to include the surrender of all firearms associated with certain domestic crimes, including rifles, shotguns, and handguns.
Mr. Covert told WGRZ that this change could help to make gun laws more consistent across New York State. “You have a lot of judges—you have city court judges, county court judges, village, town judges—throughout the state, many are rural, and some may not want to take someone’s hunting rifle away from them,” he explained.
About Barry N. Covert
Mr. Covert is a senior partner in Lipsitz Green Scime Cambria’s Criminal Defense Trials and Appeals Practice Area. He is known for his aggressive representation of clients in the areas of New York State and federal criminal trials and appeals; driving while intoxicated; constitutional law, including First Amendment, civil rights actions, and federal False Claims Act; defending against allegations of scientific misconduct and fraud, research misconduct and fraud, plagiarism, and fabrication of evidence; and professional licensing defense. Mr. Covert frequently provides legal analysis for WGRZ and other media outlets.
