New York governor Andrew Cuomo has made it easier for
shooting victims to sue gun manufacturers in the new emergency measures to
fight gun violence that were issued on Tuesday. Cuomo declared gun violence a
“disaster emergency,” against a backdrop of rising crime in New York
City and across the United States.

Cuomo unveiled special measures aimed at arresting the recent increase in shootings in New York City since the outbreak of the
coronavirus pandemic in spring last year.

The governor signed the “Public Nuisance Liability”
law, which makes it easier for civilians to bring lawsuits against gun makers
and dealers. Manufacturers have been largely exempt from liability by federal
law, which the New York law will circumvent

“If you look at the recent numbers, more people are now
dying from gun violence and crime than COVID. This is a national problem but
someone has to step up and address this problem because our future depends on
it, “AFP quoted Cuomo’s press release.

The governor announced his plans around the appointment of a
special coordinator for the prevention of gun violence attached to the state’s
health services. The office will have to coordinate with social services,
prison services, police forces, and others. A special police unit to fight the
trafficking of firearms from other states will also be created.

The state of New York has some of the strictest gun laws in the
country but it is easy to travel and buy weapons in the neighboring states of
Pennsylvania and New Jersey, where the laws are laxer.

Cuomo also announced $138 million of investment in
intervention and prevention programs, including $76 million to create jobs for
young people deemed most at risk.

The governor also signed a law designed to prevent those
wanted for crimes from being able to acquire a weapon.

These measures come as New York and the US face a sharp rise
in crime since last summer.

The country’s major cities saw a 30% increase in homicides
in 2020, with Republicans accusing Democratic leaders of negligence. President
Joe Biden introduced measures on June 23 to limit the flow of firearms but a divided
Congress makes it difficult for Democrats to pass laws.