New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office says a moratorium on Internet sales of ammunition won't be lifted under a deal with state Senate Republicans that modifies gun control laws enacted after the 2012 Connecticut school massacre.
Cuomo spokesman Rich Azzopardi says Saturday that Republican Sen. James Seward, a critic of the so-called "SAFE Act," was "mistaken" when he said Friday the ban was part of the agreement that suspends development of a database for checking the backgrounds of ammunition buyers.
Spokesmen for the GOP majority and Seward didn't initially respond to requests for comment.
The agreement signed by Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan and top Cuomo aide Jim Malatras says the database is being shelved for now because the state police determined the necessary technology doesn't exist. It won't be revived until the technology and state funding are available.
Assembly Democrats criticized the deal.
Note: This Associated Press story has been updated. The original post is below
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's administration and state Senate Republicans have agreed to changes in gun control laws enacted after the 2012 Connecticut school massacre.
Republican Sen. James Seward, a critic of the so-called "SAFE Act," said Friday a moratorium on Internet sales of ammunition will be lifted and development of a statewide database requiring background checks for ammunition buyers is being suspended.
The head of the state police has said technology needed for the database doesn't exist, for now.
That's according to an agreement signed by Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan, a Republican, and top Cuomo aide Jim Malatras.
The Democratic governor has resisted calls to change what he considers a signature achievement.
Democratic State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie calls the agreement "an ill-advised end run" around the legislation.
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