Statement from Assemblymember Lavine Marking 5 Years Since Ghost Guns Bill

GLEN COVE, NEW YORK - On October 28, 2021, Governor Kathy Hochul signed the Scott J. Beigel Unfinished Receiver Act. New York State Assemblymember Charles Lavine (D-North Shore) issued the following statement marking 5 years since the landmark legislation banning ghost guns was signed into law:

“I am extremely proud of this bill, which effectively made the sale and production of ghost guns unlawful in the state of New York. My colleagues in the legislature and I worked to get it passed because state police analysis showed that ghost guns were being used more and more year after year after year. I was very gratified that we were able to name the bill to honor Scott Beigel, the hero teacher and athletic coach who lost his life tragically while shielding and protecting his students during the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, on February 14, 2018. His mother, Linda Beigel Schulman, who was present at the bill signing and remains a powerful advocate for strong but sensible gun legislation, is a very dear friend, and the least we could do is to recognize her sons' and her family's sacrifice by naming the bill after Scott. Governor Hochul is acutely aware of the need to protect New Yorkers, and one of the ways that we do that is by making illegal weapons like ghost guns that serve no legitimate purpose whatsoever. While this bill signing came early in her tenure, she has honored her commitment to keeping New Yorkers safe throughout her time in office by making significant investments in law enforcement and signing legislation intended to fulfil this critical mission.”

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Assemblymember Charles Lavine represents New York’s 13th Assembly District in Nassau County. He presently serves as Chair of the Judiciary Committee and is a member of the Committees on Codes, Ethics and Guidance, Insurance and Rules. Lavine previously served as Chair of the Election Law Committee, Chair of the Committee on Ethics and Guidance, co-Chair of the New York State Legislative Ethics Commission, and as Chair of the bipartisan Task Force that produced the Assembly Speaker’s Policy on Sexual Harassment, Retaliation and Discrimination. Lavine is also President of the New York Chapter of the National Association of Jewish Legislators and a member of its National Board of Directors.