During a stop in Buffalo Thursday to help sell his 2013-2014 budget proposal Governor Andrew Cuomo praised state lawmakers who voted for the SAFE Act. Cuomo said it was a very tough vote for politicians - because powerful gun advocacy groups opposed it. With more here's WBFO's Chris Caya. Speaking to a standing room only crowd in the City Honors High School Auditorium - Cuomo explained the SAFE Act in terms students could understand. He called the gun policy reasonable, balanced and measured and said it respects hunters and sportsmen.
"But it ends the unnecessary risk of high-capacity assault weapons, it keeps guns from criminals and the mentally ill," said Governor Cuomo.
Some critics fear the law will keep the mentally ill from getting help. But afterwards Cuomo told reporters.
Cuomo also said from day one he expected state lawmakers would be making technical changes to the law which also ensures background checks for gun buyers, tougher criminal penalties for illegal gun use and a mandatory life without parole sentence for killing a first responder.