A proposal from Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo would force St. Lawrence Country residents convicted of domestic violence crimes to surrender their firearms.

Cuomo says that given the inextricable link between domestic violence and lethal gun violence, this legislation will require all domestic violence crime convictions, including misdemeanors, to result in the immediate removal of all firearms and will add measures to keep firearms out of the hands of those who commit domestic violence with the goal of preventing additional tragedies.

"This year will be remembered as the year of reckoning, when both the tragedy of mass shootings and cultural and institutional harassment of women became impossible to ignore," Governor Cuomo said. "Building on the Women's Equality Agenda, we are continuing our mission for progressive values and women's rights with this legislation to target the unquestionable relationship between domestic violence and gun violence."

New York already has the strongest gun control laws in the nation, but Cuomo says it does not have sufficient laws in place that automatically mandate removing all types of firearms from individuals involved in domestic violence.

Cuomo says nine of the 10 deadliest mass shootings in United States history, including Las Vegas and Sutherland Springs, the shooter had an existing record of committing violence against women, threatening violence against women, or harassing or disparaging women.

Cuomo says that when an abusive partner is permitted to access firearms, the risk that the other partner will be killed increases fivefold.

In 2016, firearms were used in 25 domestic homicides in New York, according to a release from the governor.

Cuomo says his proposal builds on legislation previously advanced by Assemblymember Amy Paulin, Sen. Diane Savino and other members of the legislature.

All Domestic Violence Convictions Result in the Loss of Firearms

New York law prohibits the possession of firearms for individuals convicted of felony or "serious" offenses. However, this excludes certain misdemeanor offenses involving domestic violence, such as assault and battery crimes or strangulation. To ensure that all domestic violence offenders are held to the same standard, Cuomo’s proposal would advance legislation to include all domestic violence misdemeanors on the list of prohibited offenses.

Rifles and Shotguns Are Also Required to be Surrendered to Law Enforcement

Currently, New York State requires surrender of hand guns for either (1) an order of protection issued by a judge or (2) a firearm license suspension/revocation due to a felony or "serious" offense conviction or a mental health disqualification by a health professional. However, this surrender does not always apply to long guns, such as rifles and shotguns. Cuomo will be proposing legislation to apply the same surrender procedures to long guns.

For an Order of Protection, Judges Must Order a Defendant to Surrender Any Type of Firearm

Currently, judges issue orders of protection in domestic violence cases after an individual is arrested, but before they are convicted. These orders result in the suspension of firearm licenses. However, these orders are issued at the judges' discretion and may not be occur in every domestic violence case. To ensure consistency, the State proposes legislation requiring that all judges mandate the surrender of all firearms - hand guns and long guns - and suspend any firearm license until the case is resolved.