When toy guns look too much like real guns, public safety is put at risk.
Council Speaker Christine Quinn, together with Council Member Al Vann, announced on Tuesday new legislation that would increase penalties by up to 500 percent for retailing imitation toy guns.
The legislation would also allow the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) to temporarily shut down stores that repeatedly break the law.
“Despite the fact that New York City’s toy and imitation gun law has been in existence for several years, many merchants continue to sell items that resemble real guns,” said Quinn in a press release.
“Our communities are at risk when they cannot tell a fake toy gun from a real one and the dangers these items present are all too real. Children have been hurt and even killed as a result of these guns being out in our communities.”
The bill would elevate the fine for a first violation from $1,000 to up to $5,000 and raise the fines for succeeding violations within a two-year period from $3,000 to up to $8,000.
Council Speaker Christine Quinn, together with Council Member Al Vann, announced on Tuesday new legislation that would increase penalties by up to 500 percent for retailing imitation toy guns.
The legislation would also allow the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) to temporarily shut down stores that repeatedly break the law.
“Despite the fact that New York City’s toy and imitation gun law has been in existence for several years, many merchants continue to sell items that resemble real guns,” said Quinn in a press release.
“Our communities are at risk when they cannot tell a fake toy gun from a real one and the dangers these items present are all too real. Children have been hurt and even killed as a result of these guns being out in our communities.”
The bill would elevate the fine for a first violation from $1,000 to up to $5,000 and raise the fines for succeeding violations within a two-year period from $3,000 to up to $8,000.
