New York City Councilmember Erik Bottcher Introduces First-in-the-Nation Measure To Examine Requiring Visual Warning Signs to Educate the Public About the Risks Associated with Access to Firearms

NEW YORK, NY – Today, the New York chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, issued the following statements applauding Councilmember Erik Bottcher for introducing an ordinance that would empower the Department of Health to require visual warning signs to educate the public about the risks associated with firearm access in federally-licensed firearm dealers across New York City. In introducing this measure, New York City is one step closer to becoming the first city in the country to require images depicting these risks–including death by suicide, during domestic disputes, and of unintentional shootings by children. 

“New York City has always been a leader on gun violence prevention, and the introduction of today’s ordinance is yet another example of this,” said Rick Nayer, a volunteer with the New York chapter of Moms Demand Action. “We know just how deadly access to firearms can be and the specific risks they pose, and it’s critical that the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is empowered to investigate how to make this information as impactful and clear as possible. Ensuring that gun owners and those considering purchasing firearms understand the risks involved, and what to do to reduce those risks, is an important part of our work to prevent gun violence. We urge our other councilmembers to support this measure and its public-health approach to combating the epidemic of gun violence.” 

“For too long, the gun industry has told us that more guns make us safer. We know that’s not true, and we’re grateful to Councilmember Bottcher for introducing this measure so that everyone who goes to purchase a firearm is made aware of the risks involved and how to mitigate them,” said Patricia Block-Sheehan, a volunteer leader with the Staten Island Academy chapter of Students Demand Action. “Proactive gun safety measures like this will help ensure informed and responsible gun ownership and save lives across the city, and we look forward to seeing it become law so it can do just that.” 

The proposed ordinance would empower the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to study the efficacy of visual warning signs as a method of informing New Yorkers about the risks associated with firearm access. If they find such images would be impactful, they would then design and require the display of visual warning signs that will educate New Yorkers about those risks and how to protect themselves and those they care about. These enhanced warning signs would clearly illustrate the public health risks associated with having access to a firearm in the home – such as increased risk of firearm suicide, death during domestic violence, and unintentional shootings by children. 

In an average year, 960 people die by guns in New York, and another 2,841 are wounded. Gun deaths and injuries cost New York $11.4 billion each year, of which $301.2 million is paid by taxpayers. More information about gun violence in New York can be found here.