Proposal To Ban Selling Machetes To Minors Passes Senate

Local Senator Phil Boyle's proposal for a law that would ban selling machetes to minor was passed by the State Senate.

In March, Boyle (R-Bay Shore) introduced the legislation at a joint press conference along with Police Commissioner Tim Sini, after the murders of Brentwood teens 15-year-old Nisa Mickens and 16-year-old Kayla Cuevas, who were beaten and killed by members of the MS-13 gang with machetes and baseball bats,

“Many of us cannot fathom the idea of someone being attacked and murdered with a machete," Boyle said. "Unfortunately, we are seeing these heinous crimes being committed more frequently here on Long Island by violent gangs such as MS-13."

Acccording to Boyle, the legislation will limit the accessibly to these deadly weapons, keep them out of the hands on minors, and assist police in their efforts to reduce gang-related and other violent crimes.

Related:

• MS-13: An Inside Look At The Brutal Gang And Its Insidious Spread On Long Island
• AG Jeff Sessions Warns Deadly MS-13: 'We Are Targeting You'
• Guardian Angels Founder Curtis Sliwa Offers Plan To Rein In MS-13; Reacts To County Exec's Solutions
• Guardian Angel Curtis Sliwa Warns of New Gang, Sur 13, Infiltrating Long Island
• Suffolk County Police Commissioner Tim Sini Heads To North Fork, Talks Opioids, MS-13, Traffic Fatalities

Under the new bill, machetes will be added to the list of weapons already banned for sale and distribution to anyone under 18 which includes utility knives, box cutters and box cart cutters.

Currently in New York, if someone is in possession of a machete – with intent to use unlawfully – it is a criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree.

The bill will now be sent to the Assembly.

"Law enforcement agencies work diligently throughout the state every day to protect our communities, but to be successful in our mission to eradicate gang-related activity – there must be a bipartisan and united effort from lawmakers as well," he said.

Last month Suffolk County Police Commissioner Timothy Sini testified before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

During that testimony, Sini said MS-13 was responsible for 27 murders in Suffolk since 2013, with more than half of those committed since January 2016.