Monday, March 8, 2021

Attorney General James Defends Age and Background Check Requirements for Semiautomatic Assault Rifle Sales

 

 New York Attorney General Letitia James, as part of a multistate coalition of 19 attorneys general from around the nation, continued the fight to ensure that states have the right to enact reasonable firearm regulations that protect public safety and reduce the prevalence of gun violence. In an amicus brief filed in support of a Washington state initiative regulating the sale of semiautomatic assault rifles, in the case Mitchell v. Atkins, the coalition argues that states can pass regulations to ensure that only individuals who are likely to use firearms responsibly in their states are able to access them.

“Americans have seen too many deaths as a result of gun violence, whether they live in New York, Washington, or any other state,” said Attorney General James. “While some seek to remove every safety check we have on protecting our states’ residents from gun violence, states have the clear authority to pass the necessary laws to protect residents, as well as authority to ensure compliance with those laws. The last thing we need to do is to make dangerous weapons more accessible to young people, which is why we are taking this action to protect against further gun violence.”

In 2018, the people of Washington passed Initiative Measure No. 1639, which imposed new rules on sales of semiautomatic assault rifles, including an age requirement on semiautomatic assault rifle sales, a requirement that local law enforcement agencies conduct enhanced background checks on prospective purchasers, and a prohibition on the in-person sales of semiautomatic assault rifles to nonresidents. In 2019, a group of firearms dealers and prospective purchasers who did not meet the age requirement filed a lawsuit, alleging that Washington’s measure infringed on their Second Amendment rights and violated the dormant Commerce Clause. The district court ruled against the plaintiffs, after which they appealed to the circuit court.

In today's amicus brief — filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit — the coalition argues that states have the responsibility and power to protect their residents by promoting safety, preventing crime, and minimizing gun violence. Additionally, states can enact specific regulations that are best tailored to their residents’ needs. These regulations include restrictions that prohibit the sale of firearms based on the purchaser’s age, which are found in all 50 states. For example, New York prohibits the sale of handguns to those under the age of 21. Restrictions of this kind have repeatedly been upheld by courts throughout the country as a way to deter crime and promote public safety.

The coalition also argues, today, that states can permissibly promote public safety by restricting in-person sales of firearms to state residents, as Washington has. Restricting the in-person sales of semiautomatic assault rifles to state residents allows states to conduct more robust background checks on those who purchase weapons, and better ensure that only individuals who are likely to use firearms responsibly can use them. Congress has already enacted an identical measure with respect to handguns, limiting the in-person sales of all handguns to the residents of a dealer’s home state. The attorneys general point out that Washington’s initiative merely extends that rule to the sale of semiautomatic assault rifles — arguably a more dangerous weapon.

Joining Attorneys General James in filing today’s amicus brief are the attorneys general of California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.

Governor Cuomo Announces More Than 5.5 Million Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine Have Been Administered to Date

 

More Than 18% of New Yorkers Have Received At Least One Vaccine Dose; More Than 9% of New Yorkers are Fully Vaccinated

1,056,422 Doses Administered This Week

175,321 Doses Administered in the Past 24 Hours

As of 11AM today, New York Providers Have Administered 86% of First Doses  

Vaccine Dashboard Will Update Daily to Provide Updates on the State's Vaccine Program; Go to ny.gov/vaccinetracker   

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that more than 5.5 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered to date. 1,056,422 doses of the vaccine were administered this week. The Governor also announced that 175,321 doses were administered in the last 24 hours. More than 18 percent of New Yorkers have received at least one vaccine dose and more than 9 percent are fully vaccinated. As of 11AM today, New York providers have administered 86 percent of first doses so far delivered. The Week 12 allocation from the federal government will finish being delivered to providers for administration today.

"Millions of New Yorkers have now received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and with the numbers remaining steady we are able to loosen the reopening valve more," Governor Cuomo said. "We're expanding our efforts to ensure equity in the vaccine distribution process by reaching underserved communities and working with local leaders, and the federal government is steadily increasing supply. We have a robust distribution network that exceeds available supply and we'll continue to open new vaccination sites in partnership with federal and local governments, healthcare providers and community organizations. In the meantime, New Yorkers must continue to be vigilant and smart because this pandemic is not over."

Approximately 10 million New Yorkers are currently eligible to receive the vaccine. New York's vast distribution network and large population of eligible individuals still far exceed the supply coming from the federal government. Due to limited supply, New Yorkers are encouraged to remain patient and are advised not to show up at vaccination sites without an appointment.  

The 'Am I Eligible' screening tool has been updated for individuals with comorbidities and underlying conditions with new appointments released on a rolling basis over the next weeks. New Yorkers can use the following to show they are eligible:  

  • Doctor's letter, or
  • Medical information evidencing comorbidity, or
  • Signed certification 

Vaccination program numbers below are for doses distributed and delivered to New York for the state's vaccination program, and do not include those reserved for the federal government's Long Term Care Facility program. A breakdown of the data based on numbers reported to New York State as of 11AM today is as follows. Beginning week 9, allocation totals are inclusive of some excess vaccine doses that have been reallocated from the federal Long Term Care Facility program. The allocation totals below include 100 percent of the week 12 allocation which will finish being distributed to New York provider sites today. The week 12 allocation figures now include deliveries for the New York State-FEMA mass vaccination sites and the Federal Retail Pharmacy Partnership.

STATEWIDE BREAKDOWN

First Doses Received - 4,227,090

First Doses Administered - 3,650,948

Total Doses Received - 6,541,110

Total Doses Administered - 5,517,582

Mayor de Blasio and Bronx Elected Officials Tour Coop-City Mass Vaccination Site




 The large community space located in the second floor of the Dreiser Loop shopping center was transformed into a mass vaccination area to administer the new Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine to Coop-City residents. 

For the opening Saturday Mayor de Blasio stopped by with Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and local Coop-City elected officials to tour, and then hold a pre conference about this new Mass vaccination site in Coop-City. 

During the press conference the Mayor de Blasio said that over fifty people were vaccinated in the few hours the site has been open, and that it is expected that up to one thousand people from the Bronx, a day can be vaccinated there. The mayor thanked Congressman Jamaal Bowman for his help in getting this mass vaccination site up and running. 



Above - Mayor de Blasio gives this woman the thumbs up for getting vaccinated.

Below - Congressman Jamaal Bowman speaks. Behind (L - R) are Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr,. Health Commissioner Dr. Dave Chokshi, State Senator Jamaal Bailey (behind Dr. Chokshi), Mayor de Blasio, Councilman Kevin Riley (behind the mayor), and  Assemblyman Michael Benedetto.





Above - Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. talks of the importance of getting vaccinated, and that he will wait until he is eligible to be vaccinated.
Below - The elected officials with members of the Riverbay Coop-City Board on each end.

Sunday, March 7, 2021

300 Days and Counting



I hear two more women have come forward to accuse Governor Cuomo of inappropriate behavior making the number five now. Charlene I'm going to run for governor next year, where is that $875 million dollars I gave you?

National Community Peace Building Commission Meeting. Sunday March 7th 5 PM

 

National Community Peacebuilding Commission launches "The Bronx Declaration."

   (The Bronx Declaration)
 

"Three weeks ago, on Sunday night, June 28th, 17- year old African American Brandon Hendricks was killed when gunfire broke out while he was attending a friend’s birthday party in the Bronx. As saddened New Yorkers learned from the media reports of his slaying, Brandon had been the captain of the James Monroe High School Basketball Team, and had graduated from the school just one week before. And as New Yorkers also learned, Brandon, whose last words in this world after being shot were, “call my mom,” had been recently engaged in the joyous process of deciding in which college to enroll this coming fall, trying to make the best choice out of the many vying to recruit him to play on their basketball team." 

“He wanted to live,” said his grieving mother Eve Hendricks. “This was not his destiny.  His destiny was to live forever and to be the greatest of all. He was very smart. He always thinks about others before his thinks about himself.”  

National Community Peace Building Commission is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: National Community Peacebuilding Commission Invites You...
Time: Mar 7, 2021 17:00 Eastern Time (US and Canada)

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Statement From Governor Andrew M. Cuomo on U.S. Senate Passing $1.9 Trillion American Rescue Plan

 

 "I thank Senate Majority Leader Schumer and Senator Gillibrand for their tireless advocacy for our state and for working through the night in the face of strong Washington opposition to secure passage of the American Rescue Plan in the Senate.

"While no legislation is ever 100 percent perfect, this bill provides critical resources to New York State, cities and towns, as well as much needed emergency pandemic relief to New York families. The House of Representatives should move swiftly to pass this vital relief package because recovery from this ongoing crisis is not about politics.  

"There cannot be a national recovery if the states and local governments do not get relief - it is simple as that."

MAYOR DE BLASIO APPLAUDS U.S. SENATE PASSAGE OF AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN

 

Mayor Bill de Blasio today released the following statement applauding the passage of the American Rescue Plan in the U.S. Senate. The legislation now moves to the U.S. House for final passage. 

 

"Cities like New York have been on the frontlines of the COVID-19 response for almost a year and have suffered enormous challenges. Too many mothers, fathers, siblings, grandparents, neighbors and friends have lost their lives to this terrible disease, while too many businesses have closed and our budget has suffered. But we are now seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. The recovery for the nation begins New York City. With robust local aid, we will have the necessary investments to push forward with our testing and vaccination efforts, further help small businesses, fully reopen schools in the fall and more. I thank Senate Majority Leader, and proud son of Brooklyn, Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and look forward to Speaker Pelosi and the entire New York delegation taking the next step forward."

 

Saturday, March 6, 2021

Councilman Mark Gjonaj's NYC Moving Forward Week in Review - 3/5/2021

 



Dear Friends,

I hope you and your families are doing well during this time, as we are coping with the COVID-19 pandemic, and the health, social, mental and economic devastation that it has brought about. 

As more vaccines are coming to NYC, finally there is a plan to vaccinate homebound New Yorkers. I am proud that the two bills that I co-sponsored to require the City to develop and implement a COVID-19 vaccine plan for homebound seniors were instrumental into securing this. Please fill the form and submit to determine eligibility by Clicking HereIf you need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact my office at (718) 931-1721. 

My office has continued to help so many constituents in the eligible categories to get vaccination appointments at Jacobi Hospital, Yankee Stadium, the NYCHA developments and elsewhere. To intensify the vaccine education and awareness, we are glad that in partnership with Jacobi Hospital and Community Board 11 we are hosting a Covid-19 Vaccination Informational Session with Dr. Gabriele S. de Vos, Chief, Division of Allergy and Immunology at Jacobi Hospital on Thursday, March 11th 6pm-7pm. We encourage you to RSVP at 718-931-1721 to submit and ask any questions. 

This week I was proud to lead NYC legislation as a prime co-sponsor for a sweeping pair of bills to comprehensively re-shape NYC’s Small Business Regulation System. These bills aim to update and overhaul the penalties to small businesses, associated with more than 180 violations attached to certain sanitation, health, transportation, consumer affairs, building and noise control violations, etc.

We are humbled to be serving those in need in our communities and this week we gave away over 5,200 food boxes to families and seniors in need in our District, and in partnership with Urband Upbound we continued In-Person Free Tax Preparation in Morris Park and City Island by appointment only.

We have been with you throughout this pandemic and will continue to be with you. Please do not hesitate to contact my office with any issues or concerns at 718-931-1721 or email at MGjonaj@council.nyc.gov.

Sincerely,

NYC Councilman Mark Gjonaj
District 13, Bronx
NYC has announced that they will be bringing the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to homebound New Yorkers. Please fill the form and submit to determine eligibility by Clicking Here!
For more information, to make an appointment and for more eligibility requirements, Click Here.