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Assembly Speaker says changes to 10-bullet magazine limit in gun law under discussion

The governor and legislative leaders are talking about amendments to the state’s new gun control laws. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver raised the possibility that a ban on 10 bullet magazines might be reversed, but Gov. Andrew Cuomo says that’s not the case.

Following a closed door meeting with Cuomo and other legislative leaders, the democrat Silver said talks are underway to possibly re-legalize possession of 10-bullet magazines in some instances. Under the newly-passed New York Safe ACT, only seven bullets are allowed in a magazine, expect at shooting ranges and at special competitions.

Silver says it doesn’t make sense to allow the 10 bullets at the shooting range, when gun owners are only allowed to carry seven bullets everywhere else.

“The law basically is inconsistent,” said Silver. “In that you can’t possess more than 10, but you can take 10 to the shooting range.” Silver was asked by reporters if it were possible that the limit could go back up to 10 bullets.

“It’s under discussion,” he said.   

Silver says his top concern is that assault weapons continue to be banned, and he says lawmakers are not contemplating changing that.

But Cuomo says lifting the ban on the ten bullet clips is not on the table.

“There is no discussion of that,” Cuomo said.  

The governor says they are simply talking about “technical corrections for consistency” before provisions of the gun laws take effect April 15.
 

Karen DeWitt is Capitol Bureau Chief for New York State Public Radio, a network of 10 public radio stations in New York State. She has covered state government and politics for the network since 1990.