BRIEF: N.Y. passes measure prohibiting domestic abusers from buying, possessing guns

March 31--ALBANY -- New York has disarmed wife beaters.

The Legislature approved a measure that adds misdemeanor domestic violence convictions to the list of offenses that would prohibit state residents from purchasing or possessing firearms.

State law already prohibits the possession of firearms for individuals convicted of felony offenses.

"We won more gun safety for victims of domestic violence, and that was a great, great win," Cuomo said Saturday. "This bill, I believe, will actually save lives."

Cuomo had included the legislation as part of his budget proposal in January, and the measure won final approval by the Legislature early Saturday as lawmakers wrapped up work on the 2018-19 spending plan.

Supporters argued that a large percentage of female murder victims are killed by their intimate partners and noted that in 2016, firearms were used in 25 domestic homicides in New York.

"Tonight we make clear that firearms have no place in the hands of domestic abusers," Sen. Diane Savino (D-S.I.) said after the bill passed.

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