4/1/2014 - Petrone Supports Move to Keep Guns from Violent Teens

Petrone Supports Move to Keep Guns from Violent Teens

Backs Rep. Israel’s amendment to close loophole in Brady Bill

Huntington, NY – Huntington Supervisor Frank P. Petrone joined community leaders April 1 in supporting federal legislation introduced by Rep. Steve Israel (D-Huntington) to prevent violent juvenile offenders from obtaining firearms when they turn 18.

Rep. Israel’s legislation is aimed at closing a loophole in the federal Brady Bill, which bars individuals who have been convicted of a crime and served more than one year in prison from owning a firearm. As Rep. Israel notes, many juvenile offenders receive more lenient sentences because of their age, meaning that even though they commit violent crimes, they can still get a gun because they did not spend more than a year in prison.

Rep. Israel’s legislation would close the loophole by adding individuals who committed “violent juvenile acts” to the list of those who are excluded from owning a firearm.

During a news conference at the Suffolk County Police Department’s Second Precinct stationhouse, Supervisor Petrone noted, “Closing a loophole that otherwise would allow teenagers with violent histories to own a gun when they turn 18 is an important step in protecting us all and should help law enforcement in their efforts to combat violent street gangs who recruit teenagers. I commend Representative Israel for identifying this loophole and for acting to address it.”

Also taking part in the news conference were Dolores Thompson and Betty Miller, past and current presidents of the Huntington branch of the NAACP; Xavier Palacios, president of Friends of he Huntington Station Latin Quarter; the Rev. Larry Jennings, pastor of the Bethel AME Church; the Rev. Jerry Artis of the Huntington Outreach Ministry; and representatives from the Suffolk County Police Department.