Metro

Pols want Gov. Hochul, Albany to allow jail for youth gun offenders

City lawmakers are demanding Gov. Kathy Hochul and the state legislature give judges the ability to jail youth gun law offenders based on their criminal history — and to ban gun offenses involving kids from being handled in family court, where the kids are often released too quickly.

“New Yorkers deserve justice but also deserve safety. Currently, many New Yorkers do not have access to the latter. In many neighborhoods, people hear gunshots every day,” reads the letter, signed by 20 Council members as of Thursday afternoon. “This problem will not end unless we take action.”

They call for an unspecified “fix” to a process that they say facilitates the “almost-immediate release of individuals arrested for gun violence, through [a] process in which their case is transferred to a family court.”

Their requests come after The Post reported on a recent surge in deadly shootings and stabbings of minors. In 2021 so far, street violence has led to the deaths of at least 21 children — amounting to more than triple the number for the same period in both 2019 and 2020.

“The violence has been a direct result of laws that have had the unintended effect of allowing people participating in gun violence to be released from custody within hours of their arrest — sending a dangerous message to would-be perpetrators,” the letter reads. “We … write to respectfully implore you to fix state laws related to the carrying of unlawful firearms, to help draw a proper balance with justice and safety.”

At least 21 children in New York City have died from street gun violence in 2021 so far.
At least 21 children in New York City have died from street gun violence in 2021 so far. G.N.Miller/NYPost; Faces

Additionally, the city pols request that Albany lawmakers and Hochul “reform state law so that judges have discretion to remand individuals caught with firearms, based on factors including current violent offense and prior criminal history.”

In response, a rep for the governor touted her gun violence prevention plan, which includes funding for workplace training and job placement programs for kids, and pledged to cooperate with officials at “all levels of government” to keep Empire State residents safe.

“Putting an end to the gun violence epidemic requires an all-hands-on-deck, collaborative approach, and Governor Hochul is committed to continuing to work with the legislature, elected officials at all levels of government, and community partners to find new solutions and improve upon programs that save lives and keep our communities safe throughout New York,” said Hochul spokeswoman Hazel Crampton-Hays.

The letter — signed by Council member Justin Brannan (D- Bay Ridge), Oswald Feliz (D- Bronx), Ydanis Rodirguez (D- Inwood), Robert Holden (D- Queens), Joe Borrelli (R- Staten Island) and Laurie Cumbo (D- Crown Heights), among others — will be sent to state lawmakers and the newly sworn in governor on Thursday evening, according to a rep for Council member Feliz.

“Over the last year, communities all across the city have experienced heartbreaking tragedies that have taken the lives of our friends and family members,” said Councilman Rafael Salamanca (D- Bronx), who was among the politicians to put his name on the letter. 

“As legislators, we must always work to create a fairer, more just society for our constituents. But we must also protect the safety and well-being of New Yorkers, and right now, the revolving door of those who wish to cause fatal harm through guns is causing people to walk down the street in fear for their lives.”  

NYPD statistics show that six kids between the ages of 10 and 17 were shot to death during the first nine months of 2020. In 2019, five were slain due to gun violence and stabbings, the police department’s figures show.

The letter to Gov. Hochul was signed by 16 City Council members including Laurie Cumbo of Brooklyn.
The letter to Gov. Hochul was signed by 16 City Council members including Laurie Cumbo of Brooklyn. Paul Martinka

Police sources previously ascribed partial blame for the deadly scourge of gun violence on the 2017 “Raise the Age” law, which they say allows young gang members to be involved in more shootings with little accountability.

The law requires that 16 and 17-year-olds charged with non-violent felonies be tried as juveniles, and grants judges the authority to send some violent crime cases to family court.

Additional reporting by Julia Marsh and Craig McCarthy