Cuomo Declares Gun Violence “State Of Emergency”

Gothamist reports:

New York will declare a gun violence “state of emergency” as part of a new initiative aimed at addressing the surge in shootings that has accompanied the pandemic. Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the “first-in-the-nation” executive order during a speech at John Jay College on Tuesday, laying out a new seven-point state strategy “to do with gun violence what we just did with COVID.”

The disaster declaration could free up funding and expedite programs intended to reduce shootings, including a summer youth employment program that would create up to 21,000 jobs. As part of the $138 million investment, the state will also expand a hospital-based violence interruption program and create a new state police unit to intercept guns smuggled into New York.

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