MAYOR ADAMS, D.A. BRAGG URGE U.S. SUPREME COURT TO UPHOLD COMMONSENSE GHOST GUN REGULATIONS

 

Amicus Brief Highlights Explosion of Ghost Guns Recovered by NYPD  

Builds on Administration’s Legal Actions to Protect New Yorkers From Ghost Guns  

New York City Mayor Eric Adams — co-chair of Mayors Against Illegal Guns — and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. announced the filing of an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court in Garland v. VanDerStok, in support of federal regulations issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) that require ghost gun parts to have serial numbers and compel background checks for prospective buyers of ghost gun home-assembly kits.  

 

“Ghost guns are one of the fastest-growing threats to public safety, and this Supreme Court case threatens to open the doors wide open for even more of them to flow into our communities,” said Mayor Adams. “President Biden and ATF Director Dettelbach have led the strongest gun safety administration in history, and the ghost gun rule they finalized saves lives. It’s commonsense: ghost guns are guns, so they should be regulated like guns — and we’re grateful to our state lawmakers for passing laws that recognize that. We will continue to do everything in our power to dam every river that feeds the sea of gun violence and endangers New Yorkers, especially our young people.” 

 

“The continued prevalence of ghost guns poses a major threat to public safety in New York City,” said Manhattan District Attorney Bragg. “While shootings and homicides are down double digits in Manhattan thanks to our close coordination with the NYPD and our federal partners, the technology behind ghost guns is rapidly evolving. These federal rules are a commonsense effort to make it easier for law enforcement to trace ghost guns when they are used in crimes and prevent them from falling into the hands of those who may already have a criminal history. Having strong, comprehensive federal regulation of firearms is absolutely essential for combating the scourge of gun violence and keeping our communities safe.” 

 

“Ghost guns are guns, plain and simple, and they are dangerous,” said City Hall Chief Counsel Lisa Zornberg. “New York City has been a national leader in addressing ghost guns, and the Biden administration’s rule is a sensible and necessary step to address this growing problem. I am proud to stand with the mayor and leaders from across the country in defense of this commonsense gun safety rule.”

 

“The City of New York has already achieved major victories in its battle against the scourge of ghost guns, including through a successful lawsuit against out-of-state online retailers of these untraceable weapons,” said Acting New York City Corporation Counsel Muriel Goode-Trufant. “But the city cannot solve this nationwide problem by itself, and it needs every tool possible to protect New Yorkers. As detailed in our brief, the city supports the Biden administration’s commonsense regulations defining ghost guns by what they actually are — firearms. The Fifth Circuit’s dangerous decision deprives local police and prosecutors of a crucial tool that would enable them to more easily investigate and prevent crimes committed with ghost guns.”  

 

“Untraceable ghost guns empower criminals and continue to pose a grave threat to public safety across New York City and the nation,” said New York City Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner Edward A. Caban. “The men and women of our country’s largest municipal police department fully support the rule that requires these weapons and their component parts to be regulated like the firearms that they are. It will help get more felons off the streets, reduce crime, and save lives.” 

 

The amicus brief argues that both the NYPD and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office have been at the forefront of combating the proliferation of ghost guns. Since the start of the Adams administration, the NYPD has already removed approximately 17,000 illegal guns from city streets, including more than 1,050 ghost guns. In 2020, the NYPD also created the Major Case Field Intelligence Team, which works closely with the city’s five district attorneys, as well as state and federal law enforcement, to stop the flow of ghost guns. 

 

Additionally, in 2020, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office established the Ghost Guns Initiative to tackle the growing proliferation of untraceable ghost guns in New York City. The initiative consists of a partnership between the D.A.’s Office and state and federal law enforcement partners that is dedicated to identifying and seeking relief against ghost gun builders and traffickers in the city.  

 

The brief also states that, “in just six years, the number of ghost guns in New York City has exploded by nearly 30 times.” The lack of federal regulation of “ghost-guns kits and components has allowed these firearms to fall into the hands of dangerous individuals who would otherwise be ineligible to possess these weapons under New York law.”  

 

Ghost guns are just as dangerous as traditional firearms, as they are “functionally indistinguishable from pre-assembled guns,” and “home-assembled firearms recovered by the NYPD have typically corresponded to specific models of commercially available pre-assembled guns.” Furthermore, “easily assembled ghost guns have become increasingly prevalent among individuals who would otherwise be banned from possessing firearms in New York,” and “home-assembly firearm kits are explicitly marketed as a means of bypassing gun-control laws.” 

 

The Adams administration has taken swift and urgent legal action to combat the growing threat that ghost guns pose to public safety. In May 2022, Mayor Adams called on ATF to revoke the federal firearms license of Polymer80 — the nation’s largest source of ghost guns used in crimes and recovered by law enforcement. Polymer80 is a plaintiff in this Supreme Court case.  

 

Additionally, in June 2022, following an undercover investigation, Mayor Adams launched a federal lawsuit against five online retailers for illegally selling ghost gun components and shipping them to addresses in New York City. By October 2022, the city reached agreements with four of those retailers and secured an injunction against the fifth that require them to immediately stop selling ghost gun components into New York City and to prevent any such sales in the future.  

 

The Adams administration has made tackling gun violence a centerpiece of its public safety platform. Early in the administration, in January 2022, Mayor Adams announced the “Blueprint to End Gun Violence,” which laid out numerous policy proposals to curb the scourge of gun violence that was plaguing New York City streets when the Adams administration came into office. One of the key initiatives in that blueprint was the creation of Neighborhood Safety Teams to focus on gun violence. Since their creation in March 2022, shootings across New York City have consistently gone down. 

 

Additionally, last summer, Mayor Adams announced the launch of the “Blueprint for Community Safety,” a nearly $500 million initiative that outlined a forward-thinking roadmap with upstream solutions to address gun violence throughout the five boroughs.  

 

As a result of the Adams administration’s focus on gun violence, both shootings and homicides were down by double-digits in each of the administration’s first two years in office. Both shootings and homicides remain down across New York City year to date as well, in addition to overall crime. 

 

New Installment of New York State Parks’ Interactive Digital Timeline Explores the Great Depression and Civilian Conservation Corps Era

Educational Tool Part of Multi-Faceted, Yearlong Centennial Celebration  

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation announced the release of the third installment of the interactive, online timeline ‘Blazing a Trail: A History of New York State Parks and Historic Sites’ in celebration of New York State Parks’ Centennial. This project employs photographs, illustrations, paintings, documents, archival footage, maps and narrative to tell the story of the development of the New York State Parks system. The newest installment, “Depression and A New Deal,” is available here, along with previously released eras.  

 

In the first two eras, users learned about the drive to conserve natural spaces during the rapid development of the late 1800s and the shift in focus from preservation to recreation. They met leaders who were instrumental in creating the system of parks and historic sites we know today and guiding its development. The third era, split in two parts, will take users into the Great Depression and New Deal years, exploring how this challenging time for the park system became a watershed moment with the creation of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). More than 220,000 CCC members built key park infrastructure from bridges to cabins that is still in use today. At New York State Parks, an all-Black unit with Black leadership was deployed at Newtown Battlefield State Park, and a lesser-known women’s version, Camp Tera, was piloted at Bear Mountain State Park.  

 

This era’s initial section explores the period between 1930 and 1945. The second section will cover 1940 to 1945 and will explore the effect of World War II on the park system. Additional eras launching throughout the year will cover the development of the system under the post-World War II Rockefeller administration, the creation of the modern Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP), efforts to expand the agency's diverse portfolio of parks, and more. Future eras include 1945-1959, 1960-1971, 1972-1999, 2000-Today, and Tomorrow and Beyond. Each era includes the individual histories of the parks and sites added in the timeframe. 

 

Commissioner Pro Tempore of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Randy Simons said, “An anniversary such as the Centennial is a time to recognize and appreciate our whole history, celebrate our people today and plan for the next 100 years. Like so many, the Great Depression was a moment of great adversity our young park system.  It’s inspiring to learn how such difficult times produced such unity and determination, and sowed the seeds for the tremendous social change that was to come. All year long, we’ve been inviting each and every New Yorker to share their parks stories. We’re pleased to be sharing our own through this project.”    

 

‘Blazing A Trail’ is one of several initiatives celebrating the Parks Centennial. Other initiatives include an exhibit in the New York State Capitol’s State Street Tunnel currently on view; the Share Your Story project, which invites people to tell their own stories relating to Parks and Sites; the Centennial Challenge, which encourages people to win prizes by participating in various activities at parks and sites; and the release of the Centennial Collection merchandise. Centennial events and exhibits will take place at individual parks all summer long, ranging from parties to special hikes and programs. Additional initiatives will be announced throughout 2024. 

 

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation 

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, which saw a record 84 million visits in 2023. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer app or call 518.474.0456. Join us in celebrating our Centennial throughout 2024, and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and the OPRHP Blog. 

Population FactFinder Updated with Newly Released 2020 Census Race and Ethnicity Data

 

Digital tool now includes data for City Council Districts, adds never-before-seen 2020 stats on race and ethnicity, and provides the latest ACS data on population and housing characteristics

Department of City Planning (DCP) Director Dan Garodnick announced that DCP’s online, interactive Population FactFinder tool has been updated to include detailed demographic statistics from the 2020 Census, and characteristics from the 2018-2022 five-year American Community Survey (ACS) estimates. Never before had the Census Bureau published detailed race and ethnicity for all groups – Black and White respondents were not given the opportunity to further specify after marking their race on the 2010 Census questionnaire. Now this historic 2020 Census release has been incorporated into DCP's Population FactFinder application, revealing the astounding breadth of New York City’s diversity.

“The Department of City Planning is committed to making the data we collect transparent, and through these updates to Population FactFinder, we’re putting even more information at people’s fingertips. It’s another example of how we’re celebrating the melting pot that makes New York New York,” said Department of City Planning Director Dan Garodnick.

Population FactFinder provides a detailed look at the city’s population, including such characteristics as age, race/Hispanic origin, and housing tenure. Thanks to these updates, New Yorkers can compare information from the 2010 and 2020 Censuses, showing change over time in a straightforward format. The site offers a clear, easy-to-navigate way for the public to research and understand the diversity of neighborhoods, and how they compare to New York City as a whole.

Making use of the latest data from the United States Census Bureau, Population FactFinder now shows population counts for detailed race and ethnic groups, which can be examined for various geographies, including census tracts, Neighborhood Tabulation Areas (NTAs), Community Districts, City Council Districts, boroughs, and user defined areas.

Thanks to this update, the public can use Population FactFinder to discover wide-ranging demographic information that speaks to the diversity of New York City. For example:

African American is the largest origin group in New York City, followed by Dominican, Chinese, Puerto Rican, and Italian.

The largest Hispanic group in Queens is Ecuadorian. In the Bronx and Manhattan, it is Dominican. And in Brooklyn and Staten Island, it is Puerto Rican.

Washington Heights is the neighborhood with the largest Dominican population.

Jamaica is home to the largest number of people identifying as Bangladeshi.

South Ozone Park is the city’s top Guyanese neighborhood.

A quarter of Staten Island’s population identifies as Italian – the 2nd highest share for any U.S. county.

2020 Census updates are also available in DCP’s Population MapViewer, which allows the public to view these populations across neighborhoods in maps and ranked charts.

Population FactFinder has also been updated with the American Community Survey’s 2018-2022 five-year estimate, incorporating characteristics not featured in the decennial census, such as educational attainment, veteran status, computers and Internet use, occupation, and other detailed economic and housing statistics. These data updates in Population FactFinder are now also available for City Council Districts.

DCP will continue to update Population FactFinder and Population MapViewer regularly as new Census data are released, keeping researchers, policymakers, and communities up-to-date on this critical information.

Department of City Planning

The Department of City Planning (DCP) plans for the strategic growth and development of the City through ground-up planning with communities, the development of land use policies and zoning regulations applicable citywide, and its contribution to the preparation of the City’s 10-year Capital Strategy. DCP promotes housing production and affordability, fosters economic development and coordinated investments in infrastructure and services, and supports resilient, sustainable communities across the five boroughs for a more equitable New York City.

In addition, DCP supports the City Planning Commission in its annual review of approximately 450 land use applications for a variety of discretionary approvals. The Department also assists both government agencies and the public by advising on strategic and capital planning and providing policy analysis, technical assistance and data relating to housing, transportation, community facilities, demography, zoning, urban design, waterfront areas and public open space.

FIREWORK SAFETY TIPS FOR THE UPCOMING JULY 4TH HOLIDAY

 

4th of July Weekend Typically Sees a Rise in Firework-Related Injuries

Attend Public Fireworks Displays To Avoid Injury or Unwanted Fires and Prioritize Fire Safety if Handling Legal Sparkling Devices

Audio & Video of Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley Discussing Firework Safety is Available Here

Governor Kathy Hochul reminded New Yorkers to keep safe while celebrating the upcoming July 4th holiday. As part of a multi-agency effort, the New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection, along with the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services’ Office of Fire Prevention and Control and the New York State Department of Health are providing tips to help New Yorkers stay safe while celebrating Independence Day with legal sparkling devices.

 

“As we celebrate this 4th of July with family and friends, it’s important that everyone take proper precautions to keep each other safe,” Governor Hochul said. “New Yorkers should exercise caution while using legal sparkling devices and enjoy this special day.” 

 

Sparkling devices are ground based or handheld devices that produce a shower of colored sparks and or a colored flame, audible crackling or whistling noise and smoke. The law limits the type, size and construction of sparkling devices and requires that these devices must be handheld or mounted on a base or spike and be limited in sizes that range from 1 to 500 grams of pyrotechnic composition.

 

Every year, thousands of people – most of them children, teens and young adults – are injured while using fireworks. Most of these injuries happen in the weeks surrounding the 4th of July. According to a report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there’s been an upward trend in fireworks-related injuries, with incidence increasing by 25 percent within a six-year time period. The Consumer Product Safety Commission also found that nationally nearly half of the fireworks-related injuries were to people younger than 24 years of age.

 

In 2022, the most recent data we have, there were 173 fireworks-related injury visits reported by emergency departments in New York State, with 125 of those visits reported between June 18 and July 18. Additionally, 25 percent of the visits during that period were by patients 18 years of age or under.

 

Common causes of fireworks-related injuries are:

• A fast-fuse firecracker explodes before it can be thrown.
• A misguided rocket strikes a bystander.
• A curious youngster goes to investigate why a firecracker “failed” to explode.

 

More than 19,500 reported fires are started by fireworks annually, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

 

The Department also recommends taking simple precautions while watching professional fireworks displays, including using earplugs to protect hearing, keeping a safe distance from the firework launch site and leaving pets at home.

 

Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley said, “As we celebrate this annual 4th of July holiday with friends and family, it’s important to remember basic safety tips, especially when sparkling devices are involved. While fireworks and firecrackers may be part of the holiday tradition, these dangerous fire devices are illegal statewide and should not be used under any circumstances. If sparkling devices are legal in your area, make sure to always follow the instructions on the packaging and never allow children to play with or ignite the devices.” 

FIREWORKS - WHAT’S LEGAL AND WHAT’S NOT IN NEW YORK STATE:

 

What’s Legal:                                                      

1. Sale of sparkling devices by registered sellers from June 1 until July 5 annually. Sparkling devices are ground-based or handheld sparking devices that produce a shower of colored sparks or colored flame, crackling or whistling noise and smoke. They do not launch into the air.
2. The possession and use of sparkling devices in cities with populations of less than one million people and as permitted by local law. Be sure to check that sparkling devices are legal in your city, town, or county as local laws may change. You can contact your local sheriff’s office to ask whether your area allows the use of sparkling devices.
3. Users must be 18 years or older to use sparkling devices.

 

What’s Not Legal:

1. The possession and use of sparkling devices in cities with populations of more than one million people and where prohibited by local law, including New York City and the following counties: Albany, Bronx, Columbia, Erie, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange (prohibited in the Cities of Middletown and Newburgh only), Queens, Richmond, Schenectady, Suffolk, Warren and Westchester.
2. Fireworks and dangerous fireworks, including firecrackers, bottle rockets, roman candles, spinners and aerial devices, are illegal statewide.

 

Tips for Using Fireworks Safely:

1. Children and sparklers are a dangerous combination. Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks, including sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. This is hot enough to melt some metals.
2. Never throw or point fireworks toward people, animals, vehicles, structures or flammable materials. Always follow the instructions on the packaging.
3. Keep a supply of water close by as a precaution.
4. Make sure the person lighting fireworks always wears eye protection.
5. Light only one firework at a time and never attempt to relight “a dud.”
6. Always use fireworks outdoors. Never light sparklers or fireworks inside.
7. Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.
8. If you are impaired by alcohol, don’t use fireworks.

 

While avoiding the use of illegal fireworks is the best way to prevent injury, people can also take precautions while watching professional fireworks displays. These include using earplugs to protect hearing, keeping a safe distance from the launch site, and leaving pets at home. If your pet is nervous around fireworks at home, please consult your veterinarian for ways to protect and comfort them.

 

Sales of sparkling devices by certified permanent and specialty retailers can only take place during the year from June 1 to July 5 and sales of sparkling devices by certified temporary stands or tents can only occur from June 20 to July 5. A list of registered sparkling device vendors and a video about avoiding injuries from fireworks appears here.

 

Adults are encouraged to provide children and teens with non-flammable alternatives to sparkling devices, which can be easily found at most retail stores including glow sticks and LED Items

  

About the New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection

Follow the New York Department of State on Facebook, X and Instagram and check in every Tuesday for more practical tips that educate and empower New York consumers on a variety of topics. Sign up to receive consumer alerts directly to your email or phone here.

The New York State Divsion of Consumer Protection provides voluntary mediation between a consumer and a business when a consumer has been unsuccessful at reaching a resolution on their own. The Consumer Assistance Helpline 1-800-697-1220 is available Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, excluding State Holidays, and consumer complaints can be filed at any time at www.dos.ny.gov/consumerprotection. The Division can also be reached via X at @NYSConsumer or Facebook.

About the State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services
The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services provides leadership, coordination and support for efforts to prevent, protect against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from terrorism and other man-made and natural disasters, threats, fires and other emergencies.  The Office of Fire Prevention and Control, part of DHSES, delivers a wide breadth of services to firefighters, emergency responders, state and local government agencies, public and private colleges, and the citizens of New York. The office advances public safety through firefighter training, education, fire prevention, investigative, special operations and technical rescue programs. The delivery of these essential services enables the office to make significant contributions to the safety of all of New York State.

For more information, visit the DHSES Facebook page, follow @NYSDHSES on Twitter and Instagram, or visit dhses.ny.gov.

About the New York State Department of Health
The New York State Department of Health has been overseeing the health, safety, and well-being of New Yorkers since 1901 – from vaccinations to utilizing new developments in science as critical tools in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. In the face of today's new public health challenges and evolving health care system, Health equity is foundational to everything we do to help all people achieve optimal physical, mental, and social well-being.

NYS Office of the Comptroller DiNapoli Analyzes Post-Pandemic Tourism Across NYS

 

Trend to Watch: Industry Job Recovery Uneven Across State Bright Spot: Spike in State Park Attendance and Growth in Agritourism

Tourism in New York state has grown post-pandemic but employment in tourism-related industries remains 4.3% below pre-pandemic levels, according to an analysis released by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. The report found strong increases in domestic and international travelers to the state. In particular, visitors flocked to outdoor destinations, with attendance at state parks 9.1% higher in 2023 than 2020.

This is DiNapoli’s third report on the tourism industry after the abrupt shutdown caused by the pandemic in 2020. During the pandemic, New York lost $10.9 billion in economic activity from travel and tourism, but by 2023, had fully recovered, and was $792 million higher than in 2019. In a report released in May, the State Comptroller found that tourism-related industries in New York City were nearly at a complete recovery, as visitor spending and tax revenue have surpassed pre-pandemic levels.

“Travelers from around the world are drawn to all corners of the state and keep coming back because they fall in love with New York. Tourism generates tens of billions in economic activity and employs many New Yorkers across the state,” DiNapoli said. “New York is welcoming back tourists in big numbers after the pandemic, but the recovery is uneven, with some regions lagging. I encourage policymakers to review these trends and ensure the state’s tourism programs are effectively promoting the unique experiences each region of the state has to offer.”

Tourism generated $34 billion in direct economic activity and provided almost 417,000 jobs statewide in 2023, ranking New York second behind California in direct economic activity from industries related to tourism.

While tourism-related economic activity has fully recovered, employment in the sector remains lower in every region of the state. In 2020, nearly one-third of tourism-related jobs were lost. While employment bounced back by 36.6% from 2020 to 2023, it is still 4.3% below pre-pandemic levels. Total wages of $23.1 billion paid to those working in the industry were 6.9% higher in 2023 than in 2019, with an average annual salary of $55,500.

In 2023, the Mohawk Valley was still down 17% of its tourism-related jobs, followed by the North Country (-15.2%) and the Finger Lakes (-11.8%) with the lowest job recoveries. Long Island (-1%) and Central New York (-1.6%) are closest to their pre-pandemic levels.

Other key findings:

• Domestic Travel Up: In 2022, there were 355 million non-work trips made by residents of other states to New York, an increase of nearly 31% from two years prior. People from New Jersey account for 60% of these visitors.
• International Travelers Still Below Pre-Pandemic Levels: After dropping by more than 84% in 2020, the number of international visitors to New York was 7.4 million higher in 2023 than in 2020, but still below pre-pandemic levels. New York has reclaimed its distinction as the top U.S. destination for travelers from overseas, with more international visitors than Florida, Nevada, and Texas combined.
• State Park Visits Jump: Visitors to the state’s parks increased by over 900,000 in 2020 and continued to increase over the next three years, with visitation 9.1% higher in 2023 over 2020. Of the state’s parks, the Niagara Reservation had the highest attendance in 2023, nearly 9.5 million visitors. Long Island parks had the largest increase in attendance since 2019, with over 2 million more visitors. In contrast, National Park sites, including the Statue of Liberty, had fewer visitors than in 2019.
• Agritourism Grows: Agritourism, which includes wine tastings, pick your own fruits and vegetables, and hayrides has grown in New York. There were 947 farms in 2022 earning over $55 million from agritourism. This was almost double the number of farms as well as more than triple the income from 2007. The Hudson Valley had the most farms with agritourism income in 2022, while the Finger Lakes region farms had the highest income from this source.

Report

Welcome Back to New York: An Analysis of Post-Pandemic Travel

NYC Tourism Reports

Tracking the Return: The Tourism Industry in NYC (2024)

The Tourism Industry in NYC: Reigniting the Return (2021)

Tourism Sector Dashboard