Assault Weapons Ban

1/11/2013 (Updated 7:00:30 PM)

Local crime officials continue to support Governor Cuomo's call for gun-control measures that could include an assault-style weapons ban.

Other proposed measures include preventing private sales to prohibited people and allowing mental health professionals to report those who they feel could cause harm.

Broome County District Attorney Gerald Mollen said that in 32 years as a prosecutor, he hasn't seen one case where an assault-style weapon was used in self defense.

"I'm not in favor of trying to eliminate handguns or change the culture but I think reasonable restrictions is a reasonable response to what we've seen," said Broome County District Attorney Gerald Mollen.

"A ban on assault rifles is kind of a self-protective order in our country. We're seeing more and more mass shootings and the shooters typically have some kind of mental health issues so I think that has to come into play as well," said Raini Baudendistel, Executive Director of the Crime Victims Assistance Center.

Baudendistel said it's not enough to rely on background checks. She said we all have to be vigilant to monitor friends and family for possible mental health issues.

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