New York is responding to the Trump administration's proposed rollbacks on federal gun regulations, according to a report by News 12. The state is moving to tighten oversight at home even as the federal rules are being loosened.
Governor Kathy Hochul says federal officials announced changes to more than 30 rules earlier this year. She points to those changes as the reason New York is now stepping in with its own measures.
According to the governor, the federal changes make it easier for dangerous individuals to obtain firearms. That concern is at the center of the state's response.
In an effort to protect New Yorkers, the state police will now increase inspections of licensed gun dealers. The heightened scrutiny is aimed at how dealers across the state are operating.
The state police said they will prioritize their efforts on dealers that are linked to guns that are recovered at crime scenes. That focus is intended to target the sources most closely tied to firearms used in crimes.
The governor will also introduce legislation to require all gun sales in New York be made in person. The proposed measure would add another layer to how firearms are sold in the state.
For its part, the Trump administration says the rollbacks protect Second Amendment rights. The federal position stands in contrast to the steps New York is taking in response.