NRA: NY's quick gun law passage nixed opposition

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ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — The National Rifle Association says the secret negotiations and lightning-fast passage of New York's tough new gun control laws squelched the powerful gun lobby's ability to mount opposition.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he had to engineer quick enactment to prevent a counterproductive buying spree of now-outlawed guns.

The legislation was introduced and signed into law in less than two days.

The NRA, which has thwarted restrictions nationwide, had members working the phones but didn't have enough time to coordinate a public rally. The gun-rights group and some New York lawmakers say the rushed legislation also undermined public input.

Cuomo says recent polling shows most New Yorkers favor tighter gun restrictions. A Siena College poll shows 73 percent want the toughest assault weapon and magazine restrictions in the U.S.

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