Rochester, N.Y. -- It's already an official law but New York Governor Andrew Cuomo ceremoniously signed the state's new, stricter gun regulations into law today at Rochester’s City Hall.
The New York SAFE Act includes a ban on assault weapons and a seven bullet limit on magazines.
Also, a therapist or other caregiver who believes a mental health patient made a credible threat to use a gun illegally would have to report it to a mental health director who must notify the state.
The bill also includes "The Webster Provision," which makes the killing of any first responder a first degree murder charge punishable by life in prison.
Governor Cuomo said this law "should have been done years ago."
Cuomo pushed hard for the legislation and signed it into law shortly after 5 p.m. Tuesday in Albany.
In Rochester on Wednesday, Governor Cuomo told us why he thought it was important to come here to sign the legislation.
"A special significance to come here today because of the tragedy in Webster," Cuomo said. "This law has the Webster provision which provides life without parole for anyone who murders a First Responder. We want people to know we understand. Forst Responders need to be protected by society."
Other supporters of the new tougher gun laws gathered at City Hall to hear the Governor speak. They included, Paul McFadden, a former gang member who now works with at-risk teens to get them off the street.
McFadden said as a gang member for 15 years, he had experience with Assault weapons and knows their dangers: "I've had a lot of affiliation with Assault weapons, they cause the greatest concern for this community."
McFadden said he has seen so many lives lost on the streets, due to illegal guns. He hopes this new law will help save lives.
Cookie Waller is an advocate for youths. She works for Rochester Teen Court. That program helps teens who have been charged with their first crime. Cookie said the tougher gun laws are a good first step, but said the change won't happen overnight. She too wishes, these laws would have been passed years ago.
First Responders tell 13WHAM News they fully support the Webster Provision of the law which protects them. They say the tragedy on Christmas Eve still affects their lives and how they respond everyday.
There were no West Webster firefighters at the signing. We were told it was just too soon for them.
The Governor did respond to critics who say this legislation was pushed through too quickly. He told us, "this didn't happen soon enough. How many people have to die before we take action?"
