MeterThe governor reported that over 50 people in New York State were victims of gun violence last weekend Andrew Cuomo Tuesday. During the same period, only 13 people died of or were infected with Covid-19. As states that were particularly hard hit at the beginning of the pandemic are slowly recovering, Cuomo’s words are being hit by a new epidemic: the gun violence pandemic.
On problematic weekends, the United States celebrates Independence Day, which is characterized by people celebrating together, picnicking, and watching fireworks in many places. Especially after the state lifted almost all corona restrictions, July 4th should be a special day. But Cuomo said the weekend was fatal to more than 50 people. Therefore, gun violence is now considered a disaster emergency. “Time is not on our side,” Cuomo said, “but we can begin to recognize the problem.” This problem affects the entire state. “I hope the people of this state will finally understand this, and I hope they will respond accordingly.”
The police should curb the gun trade
The classification of guns as a disaster emergency makes it easier for the Albany government to invest funds to take action against evil. The state will invest nearly 139 million U.S. dollars. Of this amount, US$76 million will be used to create approximately 21,000 jobs and other meaningful employment opportunities for young people who are particularly vulnerable to gun violence (as perpetrators or victims). In addition, Cuomo also announced further measures. From now on, a unit of the criminal justice system will receive reports from the local police station where gun violence occurs every week instead of every month.
In order to evaluate these reports, the governor hopes to set up a gun violence office within the Ministry of Health so that resources can be allocated to particularly affected communities. In addition, according to Cuomo, a project will be expanded in which hospital mediators try to dissuade those affected by gun violence from retaliation.
For this democratic governor, a particularly important point is to combat the gun trade. He envisioned a “border war” because most of the weapons in New York State were illegally imported from other states. A special police force will now take action against it. “We waste too much time and money in the fight against illegal immigrants in this country,” Cuomo said. “Illegal immigrants will not kill Americans! Illegal weapons will kill Americans.” If weapons manufacturers do not take sufficient measures to prevent the illegal distribution of their products, then the state and other public authorities should now be able to prosecute them. Como signed the corresponding law on Tuesday.
These announcements are the result of an increase in the number of gun incidents. According to police statistics, in New York City alone, there were 765 such incidents this year, with 886 victims. In the past year, the security department counted more than 1,500 incidents, more than twice the number of the previous year.
Biden wants stricter inspections on gun buyers
The surge in numbers affects not only New York, but also other cities in the state and across the country.According to the report, more than 8,100 people died from guns in the first five months of this year, 54 people per day. Washington postThe average number of people in the past six years was 40.
About two weeks ago, the president resigned Joe Biden The state government can embezzle funds from the US$350 billion COVID-19 assistance program to fight gun violence. Among other things, this can be used to strengthen police work. Biden said his government also hopes to ban certain semi-automatic weapons and enforce stricter inspections on gun buyers.
Every Tuesday
The number of gun incidents has increased since last year due to many reasons. On the one hand, the poor have been hit particularly hard. Pandemic The blow caused the unemployment rate to rise. Many people lose sight and become desperate. In addition, Corona may have ensured that the police no longer appear in the public image. Law enforcement officers are infected and cannot continue to work, or due to distance requirements, are unable to interact with people at the usual level to prevent violence from the beginning.
After George Floyd was killed, the climb was particularly steep
On the other hand, the “Black People’s Fate” protest movement following the death of George Floyd in May 2020 may also lead to an increase in the number of people. At least this is shown by a study by the National Covid-19 and Criminal Justice Commission. It said that in the months after Freud was killed, this increase was particularly sharp.
In addition, 2020 is a very successful year for arms sellers. According to the Washington Post, 23 million guns were sold that year. And this trend continues. In January and February of 2021, Americans bought more guns than all corresponding months since sales records. There were 2.5 million guns in January. This puts him in third place in the month with the most weapons sales. The first two places are June and July 2020, two months after George Floyd’s murder.
