Cuomo Signs Red Flag Bill Monday

Gov. Andrew Cuomo made good on a promise to sign a bill that will prevent people who show signs of being a threat to themselves or others from purchasing or possessing any kind of firearm. Cuomo was joined at John Jay College in Manhattan by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Monday for the signing.

Cuomo said he was proud to sign the first-in-the-nation Red Flag Bill.

"We are empowering teachers not by giving them guns like the president wants, but by arming and empowering them with the law, so when a teacher or family member sees there is a problem, they can go to a judge and get a court-ordered evaluation," he said.

"The Red Flag Bill will save lives and doesn't infringe on anybody's rights and it is common sense," Cuomo said.

Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino Jr. said he was happy to see that the law, which goes into effect 180 days from the signing, will soon be available to safeguard New Yorkers.

"It will help us make Westchester safer and more secure," he said.

"Families, community members, school personnel and law enforcement can now make a case for the courts to imposed Extreme Risk Protection Orders, to remove weapons temporarily from a person in crisis," Scarpino said.

He said he joined other district attorneys and lawmakers in calling for its passage.