New Website TellCuomo.com Calls on Governor Cuomo to End Gun Violence and Make Microstamping a Legislative Priority
NYAGV Unveils www.TellCuomo.com For New Yorkers To Tell Governor Cuomo About Essential Tools They Need To Do Their Job, Just Like Police Need Tools Like Microstamping to Solve Crimes
With Thousands of Unsolved Gun Crimes Every Year in New York State, Now is the Time for Governor Cuomo to Make Microstamping a Priority
NEW YORK, June 21, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- New Yorkers Against Gun Violence today unveiled a new interactive website, www.TellCuomo.com, to inform Governor Andrew Cuomo that just as everyday New Yorkers need tools to do their jobs, law enforcement officers need essential tools like microstamping to help them solve violent gun crimes. Microstamping is DNA for guns, a technology that imprints six letters and numbers on the shell casing of a bullet that can be read 87 percent of the time – dramatically increasing law enforcement's ability to solve gun crimes. Visitors to TellCuomo.com can send an email to Governor Cuomo to tell him about the tools they need to do their job and urge the Governor to make microstamping – the essential tool for New York state police and prosecutors – a legislative priority in 2012.
"Like doctors, law enforcement is in the business of saving lives. We don't ask doctors to diagnose lung cancer or to pinpoint the location of a spinal fracture without proper x-ray machines," said Jackie Hilly, Executive Director of New Yorkers Against Gun Violence. "Yet, law enforcement officers are forced to do their job without basic tools like microstamping because of inaction in Albany. Governor Cuomo should lead the way to make microstamping a legislative priority. Microstamping will provide police with an essential tool to help them catch criminals and provide closure and justice to victims and families."
The more than 11,000 unsolved firearm aggravated assaults over the last ten years in New York have left New York's law enforcement frustrated by the lack of evidence in gun violence and their subsequent inability to solve these crimes. Law enforcement officials defend and protect New York communities every day and do the best they can despite missing the important tool of microstamping. Police and prosecutors work tirelessly to apprehend and prosecute violent criminals but face roadblocks like anonymous shell casings. Shooting investigations are stymied and cases go cold, for many reasons: dead victims who cannot identify their killers, or witnesses who refuse to cooperate due to the fear of retaliation. Microstamping shell casings can help overcome these problems as the technology provides police with a good first lead when there is none.
www.TellCuomo.com is a simple reminder that microstamping is a tool to help police solve gun crimes. An artist relies on a brush, an office worker uses a computer, a deliveryman requires a bike or car, and a carpenter uses a hammer. Law enforcement officers need basic tools like microstamping to do their job.
"Law enforcement should not be forced to use 20th century technology while gun-toting criminals with high-tech powerful semi-automatic weapons remain free to wreak havoc on communities and families across the state," said Hilly. "Microstamping is a cost-effective crime-fighting tool that New York needs now."
About New Yorkers Against Gun Violence
The mission of New Yorkers against gun violence (NYAGV) is to reduce gun violence through legislative advocacy and education designed to encourage action, influence public opinion and lead to policy change. With a primary focus on New York State, NYAGV also advocates at the local and national levels for laws, policies and practices that protect New York State residents from gun violence.
Please visit us at www.NYAGV.org and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
SOURCE New Yorkers Against Gun Violence
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