In a year when New York state faces a $15 billion budget deficit and a greater demand for basic services, advocates for survivors of domestic violence say they are pleased that Gov. Andrew Cuomo is also prioritizing their concerns.
Among other proposals, Cuomo said he will ask the state Legislature to make it more difficult for people who are charged with a serious domestic violence-related misdemeanor to get a gun license.
There is a provision in the current state law to disqualify some abusers from obtaining a New York gun license, but Cuomo said the process is cumbersome.
The governor wants to close the loophole by creating a domestic violence misdemeanor label for certain abuse-related crimes.