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ALBANY---More than $4.5 million in new funding and 100 new State Police Investigators will be dedicated to support a new, expanded federal, state and local police initiative that will help remove illegal guns from New York's streets, according to Gov. George E. Pataki.
The announcement comes the day after the Governor called the Legislature back into special session to pass two important crime-fighting bills. Wednesday, the Governor signed both bills into law: one that has increased penalties for those who injure or kill police officers, and another that has toughened current laws to keep illegal guns off our streets.
Investigative officers from the New York State Police and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives will partner with local law enforcement officials in cities across the state to remove illegal guns from communities plagued by violence and drug trafficking, according to the Governor's office. The officers will be fully deployed over the next two weeks to communities with the highest rates of gun violence in across the state.
In addition to targeting the illegal trafficking of firearms within the state, the investigators will be deputized federal agents and will focus on the illegal transport of guns into New York from states with less stringent laws, which continues to be a growing problem. According to a study done by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, 8 out of 10 guns used in New York City crimes were originally sold outside of New York State.
Of the $4.5 million announced, $4 million will be used to pay for the dedication of the 100 State Police investigators being made available, with an additional $500,000 being earmarked for local law enforcement and prosecutors. In addition to the funds being made available today, Pataki will recommend an additional $18 million to support this effort going forward, with $2 million dedicated to local law enforcement partners. 12-22-05
© 2005 North
Country Gazette
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