Paterson: Safety Courses for Gun Owners

WNYC News | Jul 12, 2010

New York, NY —

Gov. David Paterson wants all would be handgun owners in New York to take a safety course.

Legislation he proposed today would also mandate the safety course for gun shop owners. Michael Balboni, deputy secretary for public safety, says the safety course made sense.

BALBONI: It's the governor's belief that dangerous instrumentalist like cars and thing like that you get your license and take safety courses; it sort of makes sense to extend that to firearms.

REPORTER: Another provision would restrict, but not prohibit, people from obtaining handgun licenses if they have been involuntarily committed to a mental institution.

The bill's chances in the state legislature are unclear. The leaders of the state assembly and senate have not responded to request for comment.

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