New York City officials took to the steps of City Hall Monday to celebrate the enforcement of gun merchant category codes.
The International Organization for Standardization has approved the creation of a merchant category code for gun retailers following an application by Amalgamated Bank for standalone gun and ammunition stores. This will allow firearms purchased with credit cards to be tracked in hopes of preventing mass shootings.
After lobbying for the safety measure, a coalition made up of the likes of Attorney General Letitia James, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, Comptroller Brad Lander, and more gathered to share what this will mean. “We know, of course, that it’s only a matter of time before the next mass shooting. And so often those mass shootings are somebody who went to multiple gun stores amassed ammunition and weapons, planned and prepared to murder dozens of people in their community.
“I can’t count the number of funerals that I’ve attended. I can’t tell you how many events that I’ve attended where blood splattered across the streets of New York City and across New York State. I cannot tell you how many parents that I’ve held in my arms, and how many funerals that I’ve prayed over open caskets,” James said. “Today is another step forward in addressing gun violence and preventing senseless gun violence on the streets of New York. And all across this nation.
“These victories come far and few between, so we gotta take this time to celebrate it,” Public Advocate Williams said.