In the pouring rain State Senator Jeff Klein and Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda announced new legislation they will propose in the state senate and state assembly that would stiffen jail sentences for gunmen who injure a child or discharge a firearm near playgrounds and schools called "Luisito's Law".
This legislation has come about after 3 year old Luis Oyola Jr was shot by a stray bullet while playing in Vidalia Park. Luckily, the brave toddler survived the August 30, 2013 shooting after being rushed from the park to St. Barnabas Hospital.
Klein and Assemblyman Sepulveda, who are proposing legislation that would toughen minimum sentencing requirements for anyone who discharges a weapon near a playground, children’s park or school and/or injures a child under 10-years-old. Under “Luisito’s Law,” named for Oyola, Jr., who was struck by a stray bullet in the arm, a class E felony assault charge would become a higher class D felony. The little boy's shooter would have faced a minimum 5-to-25 years behind bars if this law existed instead of 1 ½-to-4 years on an assault charge.
Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda lives two blocks away from where the shooting took place. He said that he and his wife often bring their two year old son to this park where the shooting occurred. Senator Klein said that he was not going to allow our playgrounds to become shooting galleries.
On hand was Councilwoman Maria Del Carmen Arroyo who said that she had just picked up this area in the latest redistricting, and agrees 100 percent with Senator Klein and Assemblyman Sepulveda on this legislation. Also speaking was Councilman Fernando Cabrera who chairs the City Council Juvenile Justice Committee, and Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. Senator Diaz said that he will co-sponser this legislation in the State Senate. Diaz made it a point to add that more people like Senator Jeff Klein are needed in the State Senate.
Left - Senator Klein opens the discussion as to why "Luisito's Law" was being proposed.
Right - Assemblyman Sepulveda is saying how he lives only two blocks from the park where the shooting took place, and that he and his wife bring their two year old son to this same park to enjoy.
Left - As he stands on the side, the grandmother of Luis Oyola Jr. tells of the nightmare that she went through. She hopes that this legislation will prevent others from going through the same horror.
Right - Councilman Cabrera speaks about the importance of the law, and that the parks and playgrounds need to be safe for our children.
