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Social media password, search history could be required before buying firearm in NY

Posted at 3:11 PM, Nov 21, 2018
and last updated 2018-11-21 20:45:17-05

New gun legislation proposes that anyone who wants to buy a firearm would need to submit their social media profiles and search history for review before buying a gun in New York.

Officials would be able to review up to three years worth of search history.

The bill was drafted by state Senator Kevin Parker and Brooklyn borough President Eric Adams.

"There should be more restrictions on how guns are purchased. We should have more background checks," Paul McQuillen, director of the Buffalo chapter of  New Yorkers Against Gun Violence, said.

He said that the NYAGC isn't ready to back the bill yet, but he does think it could be beneficial.

"We’ve obviously seen some of the mass shooters have a social media history that should have sent red flags," he said.

It's not going to be easy to pass this kind of bill. James Tresmond, a gun rights lawyer, said it violates multiple constitutional rights.

"The first, the second amendment, the fifth amendment, the fourth amendment, and the 14th amendment," Tresmond said.

The bill still has a way to go before it is passed or denied. Currently, it is in committee and there's no vote scheduled.