{"id":1811,"date":"2019-09-25T17:41:36","date_gmt":"2019-09-25T17:41:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/?p=1811"},"modified":"2019-09-25T17:41:36","modified_gmt":"2019-09-25T17:41:36","slug":"council-acts-to-ban-ghost-guns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/2019\/09\/25\/1811\/","title":{"rendered":"COUNCIL ACTS TO BAN GHOST GUNS"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Council will also vote to protect commercial tenants <\/em><\/p>\n

City Hall \u2013 <\/strong>The New York
\nCity Council on Wednesday will vote on a package of public safety bills,
\nincluding legislation to ban the possession of unfinished frames or receivers
\nused to create so-called \u201cghost guns.\u201d These \u201cghost guns\u201d can be created by
\nbuying pieces online and are essentially unlicensed, do-it-yourself firearms.
\nThey have no serial number and are difficult for law enforcement to trace.<\/p>\n

The Council is also voting on a
\nbill to protect commercial tenants by strengthening the Commercial Tenant
\nHarassment Law. The bill will broaden the definition of harassment from an act
\nthat is \u201cintended to cause\u201d a tenant to vacate to an act that \u201cwould reasonably
\ncause\u201d a tenant to vacate. The bill also for the first time addresses owners
\nwho harass their commercial tenants based on immigration status. The
\nlegislation increases the current penalty for harassment from $1,000 to
\n$10,000, to between $10,000 and $50,000. And, it would clarify that courts may
\norder the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) to deny any new
\nconstruction work permits for an owner who has committed these violations.<\/p>\n

The Council will also vote on a
\nbill that would require the City to study the feasibility of off-hour
\ndeliveries to City agencies in the central business district (below 60th<\/sup>
\nStreet in Manhattan) and two highly congested areas outside of the central
\nbusiness district. Those two highly congested areas will be determined at a
\nlater date. This bill is intended to help ease congestion. <\/p>\n

Additionally, the Council will
\nvote on a series of climate bills, including one that requires the City to
\nstudy the feasibility of the installation of solar water heating and thermal
\nenergy systems on city-owned buildings. Another bill requires the City to study
\nand plan community choice aggregation programs. This climate package is timed
\nto coincide with Climate Week. <\/p>\n

The Council will also vote to
\nrepeal current Local Law 22 of 2018, which bans conversion therapy services for
\na fee. Shortly after its enactment, the law was challenged in court. To avoid
\nthe possibility of a negative legal precedent, advocates requested a repeal of
\nthe law. Minors would still be protected pursuant to a recently passed state
\nlaw. Additionally, under existing state and city consumer fraud laws, a person
\nwho went through conversion therapy could bring a lawsuit that they were
\ndefrauded.<\/p>\n

Finally, the Council will vote on
\nseveral land use items.<\/p>\n

Public Safety Bills<\/strong><\/p>\n

Prohibits
\nunfinished frames or receivers<\/strong> used to
\ncreate so-called \u201cghost guns,\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Introduction 1553-A<\/strong>,sponsored
\nby Council Member Helen Rosenthal<\/em>, <\/strong>would make it a misdemeanor to
\npossess an unfinished lower receiver, which is a piece of metal that can be
\nordered online and turned into a gun with tools available in any hardware
\nstore. These homemade guns are often referred to as \u201cghost guns\u201d because they
\ndo not have a serial number, and are virtually impossible to trace. <\/p>\n

\u201cEvery year in this country,
\nthousands die from gun violence and tens of thousands are injured. While New
\nYork City stands out for its common-sense gun laws and declining homicide rate,
\na critical loophole in gun safety has emerged in the form of \u201cghost guns.\u201d
\nThrough my and Council Member Miller’s legislation, New York City can join with
\nCalifornia and New Jersey in closing this loophole, and set an important
\nprecedent for other cities and states to follow. We cannot go backwards when it
\ncomes to gun violence. We must take every possible measure to block untraceable
\nweapons in New York City,\u201d said Council Member Helen Rosenthal. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Requires reporting on the
\nseizure of three-dimensional printed guns and ghost guns, or any piece or part
\nthereof<\/strong><\/p>\n

Introduction 1548<\/strong>,sponsored
\nby Council Member I. Daneek Miller,<\/em> would require the NYPD to report on the
\nnumber of seizures of \u201cghost guns\u201d and 3D printed guns, which can also be made
\nat home using materials and equipment that anyone can buy online. 3D guns are
\ndangerous for everyone, including the people who try to use them. <\/p>\n

Urges the United States
\nCongress to Pass 3-D Firearms Prohibition Act<\/strong><\/p>\n

Resolution 866-A<\/strong>, sponsored
\nby Council Member I. Daneek Miller, <\/em>would call on the U.S. Congress to
\nreintroduce and pass the 3-D Firearms Prohibition Act and calls on the
\npresident to sign it. The 3-D Firearms Prohibition Act, sponsored by United
\nStates Representative Frank Joseph Pallone Jr. in the 2017-2018 House session,
\nwould prohibit the sale, acquisition, distribution in commerce, or import of
\n\u201cdo-it yourself\u201d firearm parts and kits, the marketing of such kits, and would require
\nhomemade firearms to have serial numbers. Firearm receiver casting, blanks, and
\nunfinished handgun frames would be considered banned hazardous products under
\nthe Consumer Product Safety Act. The advertising or marketing of on any medium,
\nincluding the Internet, for the sale of do-it yourself assault weapons parts or
\nkits would be unlawful. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe ability for criminals to get
\ntheir hands on dangerous and virtually untraceable ghost guns is unacceptable,
\nand the package of legislation being voted on today will serve to curtail this
\nemerging threat. In my Southeast Queens district, as well as throughout the
\nCity, we have witnessed a troubling uptick in gun-violence. We must continue to
\nbe proactive in keeping our communities safe, and I thank my colleagues Council
\nMember Rosenthal, Speaker Johnson and the Administration for their partnership
\nin that effort,\u201d said Council Member I. Daneek Miller.<\/strong>
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Strengthening Protections
\nfor Commercial Tenants<\/strong><\/p>\n

Introduction 1410-B<\/strong>, sponsored
\nby Council Member Vanessa L. Gibson, <\/em>would strengthen the commercial tenant
\nharassment law by changing the current standard of an act or omission that \u201cis
\nintended to cause\u201d a tenant to vacate the premises, to an act or omission that
\n\u201cwould reasonably cause\u201d a commercial tenant to vacate the property, or
\notherwise surrender their lawful rights to the premises.<\/p>\n

This bill would also expand the
\nacts and omissions that constitute commercial tenant harassment to now include:\n<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Threatening
    \na commercial tenant based on such tenant belonging to a protected category
    \nunder the City\u2019s Human Rights Law (such as age, race, national origin, gender,
    \ndisability, sexual orientation, alienage or citizenship status)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
      \n
    • Requesting
      \nidentifying documentation that would disclose the citizenship status of a
      \ncommercial tenant; or<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
        \n
      • Unreasonably
        \nrefusing to cooperate with a tenant\u2019s permitted repairs or construction
        \nactivities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        This bill would also increase
        \ncivil penalties for engaging in tenant harassment to not less than ten thousand
        \ndollars and not more than fifty thousand dollars, and clarify that courts who
        \nfind an owner has committed commercial tenant harassment may order the
        \nDepartment of Buildings not to approve construction documents for, or not to
        \nissue or renew permits for, covered categories of construction work by the
        \nowner.<\/p>\n

        \u201cWith the mass proliferation of
        \ndevelopment across New York City, small businesses and commercial tenants have
        \nvery little protections to safeguard them from the effects of changing
        \nneighborhoods. Landlords can often take advantage of such changes to pressure
        \nand harass commercial tenants out of their spaces, leading to vast amounts of
        \ncommercial tenant displacement in neighborhoods they\u2019ve established legacies
        \nin. <\/p>\n

        \u201cInt. 1410-B would broaden and
        \nredefine commercial tenant harassment, increase civil penalties for landlords
        \nthat commit commercial tenant harassment, not approve or renew documents for
        \ncertain types of construction work by owners, and much more. This bill takes a
        \nholistic and fair approach to punishing devious landlords, while allowing
        \nlawful landlords to continue providing safe spaces for their commercial tenants
        \nto thrive. <\/p>\n

        \u201cI thank Speaker Corey Johnson
        \nfor his leadership, and Council Member Mark Gjonaj, Chair of the Small Business
        \nCommittee. I also extend my gratitude to the entire Legislative Division team
        \nat the City Council for assisting with this piece of legislation as well as all
        \nof the organizations who are a part of the United for Small Business NYC
        \ncoalition for their persistence and advocacy for commercial tenant rights in
        \nNew York City,\u201d said Council Member Vanessa L. Gibson.<\/strong>
        \n<\/strong><\/p>\n

        Implementing Off-Hour
        \nDeliveries to City Facilities<\/strong><\/p>\n

        Introduction 1140-A<\/strong>, sponsored
        \nby Council Member Costa Constantinides, <\/em>would require an agency or office
        \ndesignated by the Mayor, working with other agencies and offices, to study the
        \nissue of off-hour deliveries to City facilities and develop a framework for the
        \nimplementation of such deliveries at City facilities in the central business
        \ndistrict (Manhattan south of 60th Street) and at least two highly congested
        \nareas outside of the central business district. The City would then have to
        \nimplement off-hour deliveries where feasible.<\/p>\n

        The bill would also include
        \nreporting requirements at several stages. <\/p>\n

        \u201cThe destructive rollbacks by the
        \nfederal entity formerly known as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have
        \nput the onus on big cities such as New York to implement meaningful clean air
        \npolicies. \u201cWe, as a City government, must lead by example here. The bills we\u2019ve
        \nvoted on today, in recognition of Climate Week, pave the way to a brighter
        \nfuture by requiring overnight deliveries to City buildings wherever possible,
        \nas well as making it easier to store renewable energy. We have also introduced
        \na bill that would budget emissions from each agency, making sure we hit the
        \naggressive reduction targets we\u2019ve set for ourselves.\u201d<\/p>\n

        Climate Bills<\/strong><\/p>\n

        Requires a Study of the
        \nFeasibility of Community Choice Aggregation Program Implementation<\/strong><\/p>\n

        Introduction 140-A<\/strong>, sponsored
        \nby Council Member Stephen Levin, <\/em>would require the Mayor\u2019s Office of Long
        \nTerm Planning and Sustainability to conduct a study regarding the feasibility
        \nof implementing in the city one or more community choice aggregation programs.<\/p>\n

        If such office recommends
        \nimplementing any such programs, the Office shall, on or before December 31,
        \n2021, develop and make publicly available online a plan for implementing such
        \nprograms.<\/p>\n

        Requires a Study of the
        \nFeasibility of the Installation of Solar Water Heating and Thermal Energy
        \nSystems on City-Owned Buildings<\/strong><\/p>\n

        Introduction 426-A<\/strong>, sponsored
        \nby Council Member Costa Constantinides<\/em>, wouldrequire the Department
        \nof Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) to study the feasibility of the
        \ninstallation of solar water heating and thermal energy systems on city-owned
        \nbuildings. <\/p>\n

        The study would include
        \nconsideration of state or federal incentives available to defray the costs of
        \ninstallation. This bill would also require the installation of solar water
        \nheating and thermal energy systems where the traditional hot water and space
        \nheating equipment has reached the end of its useful life. Finally, this bill
        \nwould require a report to the Mayor and Speaker to be submitted no later than
        \nDecember 21, 2021, that details the number of solar water heating and thermal
        \nenergy systems installed.
        \n<\/strong><\/p>\n

        Requires a Study of the
        \nFeasibility of the Installation of Each Available Type of Utility Scale Energy
        \nStorage System in Each City Building<\/strong><\/p>\n

        Introduction 49-A<\/strong>, sponsored
        \nby Council Member Costa Constantinides<\/em>, would require
        \nthe Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) to conduct a study
        \nregarding the feasibility of installation and use of each available type of
        \nutility scale energy storage system in each city building and submit to the
        \nMayor and the Speaker a copy of such study no later than April 30, 2021.
        \nFollowing such study, the department or any other authorized agency shall
        \ninstall utility style energy storage systems on all city buildings where the
        \nstudy determines that installation is cost effective. <\/p>\n

        No later than December 15, 2021,
        \nDCAS shall report to the Mayor and the Speaker on the types of utility scale
        \nenergy storage systems studied, the buildings where installation may be
        \nappropriate, the number of buildings where installation has been commenced and
        \nthe number of buildings where installation has been completed.<\/p>\n

        \u201cThe destructive rollbacks by the
        \nfederal entity formerly known as the Environmental Protection Agency have put
        \nthe onus on big cities such as New York to implement meaningful clean air
        \npolicies. We, as a City government, must lead by example here. The bills we\u2019ve
        \nvoted on today, in recognition of Climate Week, pave the way to a brighter
        \nfuture by requiring overnight deliveries to City buildings wherever possible,
        \nas well as making it easier to store renewable energy. We have also introduced
        \na bill that would budget emissions from each agency, making sure we hit the
        \naggressive reduction targets we\u2019ve set for ourselves,\u201d said Council Member
        \nCosta Constantinides.<\/strong><\/p>\n

        Repeals Local Law 22 of 2018
        \nwhich bans offering conversion therapy for a fee<\/strong><\/p>\n

        Introduction 1682-A<\/strong>, sponsored
        \nby Speaker Corey Johnson, <\/em>would repeal Local Law 22 of 2018 which bans
        \noffering conversion therapy services for a fee in New York City. Conversion
        \ntherapy, also known as \u201creparative therapy,\u201d \u201cEx-Gay therapy,\u201d or \u201cSexual
        \nOrientation Change Efforts,\u201d is a set of practices intending to change a
        \nperson\u2019s sexuality or gender identity to fit heterosexual or cisgender
        \nstandards and expectations. Minors would still be protected under a recent law
        \npassed by the State. State and city agencies can also still prosecute
        \nindividuals who offer these services for a fee under consumer protection laws.<\/p>\n

        \u201cThis
        \nwas a painful decision that was made after leading LGBTQ advocates requested
        \nthat the Council repeal our 2017 bill. After intense deliberation, the Council
        \nconcluded that it was best to take this drastic step. The courts have changed
        \nconsiderably over the last few years, and we cannot count on them to rule in
        \nfavor of much-needed protections for the LGBTQ community. To be clear, this
        \nalleged therapy is barbaric and inhumane, but repealing this law seemed to be
        \nthe best path forward. I listened to the advocates who know the issue best, as
        \nwell as my heart. I will never stop fighting for the community I am so proud to
        \nbe a part of,\u201d said Speaker Corey Johnson.<\/strong><\/p>\n

        Finally, the Council will vote on
        \nthe following land use items:<\/p>\n

        Broadway Buildings<\/strong><\/p>\n

        A series of landmark designations
        \non Broadway including 817 Broadway, 830 Broadway, 832-834 Broadway, 836
        \nBroadway, 840 Broadway, <\/strong>and the Roosevelt Building at 840 Broadway <\/strong>all
        \nlocated in Council Member Carlina Rivera\u2019s district. <\/strong>These buildings
        \nrepresent some of the most well-preserved Renaissance Revival high rise
        \narchitecture that flourished from the late 19th<\/sup>
        \nand early 20th<\/sup> century on Broadway
        \nsouth of Union Square.  Among these buildings is also 826 Broadway, <\/strong>home
        \nto the internationally known Strand Bookstore, <\/strong>also located in Council
        \nMember Carlina Rivera\u2019s district. <\/strong>In-line with the other historic
        \nRenaissance Revival architecture in the area, this building has also housed the
        \nhistoric Strand Bookstore for the past 60 years, serving book loving New
        \nYorkers and visitors from across the globe.  <\/p>\n

        National Society of
        \nColonial Dames in the State of New York Headquarters <\/strong><\/p>\n

        Located on east 71st<\/sup> street located in Council Member Keith
        \nPowers\u2019 district; The National Society of Colonial Dames in the State of New
        \nYork society was founded on the preservation of American\u2019s colonial past. The
        \nbuilding was designed by Richard Dana Jr, a specialist in the architecture of
        \nthe colonial period. Befitting for the purpose of the organization, this
        \n\u201cidealized\u201d reproduction of a colonial style mansion serves as both the
        \nheadquarters and museums for this important American institution. <\/p>\n

        First Hungarian Reformed Church<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n

        Built during the First World War
        \nand located at 346 East 69th<\/sup>
        \nStreet in Council Member Ben Kallos\u2019 district, this building is a striking
        \nexample of the early 20th<\/sup>
        \ncentury by prominent NYC architect Emery Roth. This church also provided a
        \ncommunity and political center in the \u201cLittle Hungary\u201d neighborhood in
        \nYorkville.  <\/p>\n

        LGBTQ Landmark Designations<\/strong><\/p>\n

        There are also a series of
        \nLandmark designations that hold significant importance to the LGBTQ community
        \nincluding the Gay Activists Alliance Firehouse, <\/strong>located in Council
        \nMember Margaret Chin\u2019s district, which served as the headquarters for the Gay
        \nActivists Alliance (GAA) from 1971 \u2013 1974. The Caffe Cino, <\/strong>located in
        \nthe Speaker\u2019s district,an experimental theater venue that served as New
        \nYork City\u2019s first gay theatre and the birthplace of Off-Off-Broadway. The
        \nWomen\u2019s Liberation Center, <\/strong>located in the Speaker\u2019s district,a
        \nformer firehouse that was home to numerous lesbian and feminist organizations
        \nas well as the epicenter for women\u2019s engagement in the struggle for LGBT civil
        \nrights. The LGBT Community Center, <\/strong>located in the Speaker\u2019s district, an
        \nold public school that became the home of a LGBT community center in 1984 and
        \ncontinues to serve the LGBT community through political action, social, as well
        \nas health and wellness programs. The James Baldwin Residence <\/strong>on West 71st<\/sup> Street, located in Council Member Helen
        \nRosenthal\u2019s district, one of the most significant surviving buildings in the
        \nnation of the celebrated writer and civil rights advocate, James Baldwin.
        \nFinally, there is the Audre Lorde Residence <\/strong>located in Council Member
        \nDebi Rose\u2019s district, <\/strong>which was the primary residences of the famous
        \nAfrican American writer, educator, and Poet Laurate of New York who was a
        \nfierce advocate for feminism and LGBT rights. It was in here, in her home on
        \nStaten Island, while she was living here that she wrote some of her most
        \ngroundbreaking work. <\/p>\n

        Kew Gardens Hills Rezoning<\/strong>.\n<\/p>\n

        This application, located in
        \nCouncil Member Rory Lancman\u2019s district, would maintain the existing
        \nsingle-family residential character of the area while allowing for the
        \nenlargement of said homes. <\/p>\n

        Bronx Point<\/strong><\/p>\n

        HPD is seeking the designation of
        \nan Urban Development Action Area Project and project approval for this new
        \ndevelopment that was approved back in 2017 in Council Member Diana Ayala\u2019s
        \ndistrict.<\/p>\n

        Brownsville South<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n

        This application that would
        \nfacilitate the development of three mixed-use buildings that would include over
        \n40 units of affordable housing located in both Council Member Rafael Espinal\u2019s
        \nand Council Member Barron\u2019s districts.  <\/p>\n

        3513 Atlantic Avenue
        \nRezoning<\/strong> <\/p>\n

        This application, located in
        \nCouncil Member Rafael Espinal\u2019s district, which would amend the zoning map to
        \ncreate a commercial overlay to allow the construction of a one-story retail
        \nbuilding at 3513 Atlantic Avenue.  <\/p>\n

        Hummus Kitchen <\/strong><\/p>\n

        This application is a renewal
        \napplication to approve an unenclosed sidewalk caf\u00e9, in Council Member Carlina
        \nRivera\u2019s district, for another four-year term.  <\/p>\n

        ###<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        The Council will also vote to protect commercial tenants <\/em><\/p>\n

        City Hall \u2013 <\/strong>The New York
        \nCity Council on Wednesday will vote on a package of public safety bills,
        \nincluding legislation to ban the possession of unfinished frames or receivers
        \nused to create so-called \u201cghost guns.\u201d These \u201cghost guns\u201d can be created by
        \nbuying pieces online and are essentially unlicensed, do-it-yourself firearms.<\/p>\n

        …<\/p>\n

        READ MORE<\/a><\/small><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":126,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1811","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1811","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/126"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1811"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1811\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1811"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1811"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1811"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}