Gov. Hochul To Spend Almost $500 Million To Fight Gun NY Violence

Governor Kathy Hochul has included a hefty chunk of change in her 2024 budget to battle gun violence in New York State. It's no secret that New York, just like most of the rest of America, has a problem with guns. We have seen multiple mass shootings around the country in the past few weeks and it doesn't seem to be getting better. Kids are getting their hands on guns and shooting teachers, classmates, relatives, and friends. I hate to say it, but it seems like Americans are becoming numb to gun violence and the destruction it causes to communities and families.

Gun advocates often argue that criminals are the problem. While that is very much true, another part of the problem is that most guns used in criminal activities start out as legal guns. Criminals get their hands on guns through several methods, according to American Progress,

Guns are diverted into illegal gun markets in three common ways: straw purchases; secondary sales through private sellers; and theft from individual gun owners or firearm dealers.

Another way criminals get guns is by ordering ghost guns.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 29: Confiscated "ghost guns" are displayed before a news conference with New York Mayor Eric Adams and New York Attorney General Letitia James and others to announce a new lawsuit against "ghost gun" distributors on June 29, 2022 in New York City. The city's lawsuit is against 10 distributors of gun components which are used in the illegal, and largely untraceable "ghost guns" that have significantly contributed to the violence on the streets of New York City. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

New York State Targets Firearm Distributors Over Ghost Gun Parts

New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a motion on Friday, January 13, 2023, against ten national gun distributors . The motion is for a preliminary injunction against the companies demanding that they halt sales of 'ghost gun' parts in New York State. Attorney General James is asking a federal court to step in to stop the manufacturers from selling, shipping, distributing, or supplying unfinished frames or receivers to any customers in New York.

Gov. Hochul's 2024 Budget Includes Nearly $500 Million To Battle Gun Violence

Gov. Hochul released highlights from her proposed 2024 FY budget, which includes hefty funding for anti-gun violence initiatives and public safety investments. The budget includes hundreds of millions of dollars for gun violence prevention, including (but not limited to):

- $84.1 million for youth employment programs
- $70 million for communities' responses to gun violence
- $31.1 million for crime reduction, youth justice, and gang prevention programs
- $25.9 million for State Police Community Stabilization Units
- $25 million for the SNUG programs
- $52 million in help with prosecution for all 62 counties' district attorneys’ offices.
- $31.4 million for alternatives to prison programs

You can view more highlights of the 2024 budget here.