Westchester To Require Warning Signs Where Firearms Are Sold

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY — Sellers of firearms will be required to post notices warning about the dangers of weapons at the point of sale and when a firearm license is issued.

County Executive George Latimer signed the legislation into law Thursday during a news conference outside the Westchester County Center. It goes into effect in 90 days, according to a county spokeswoman.

"We all know that the key driver of gun violence in the United States is the wide availability of firearms," he said.

"When a gun is easily accessible, the risk of homicide, suicide and unintentional shootings rises dramatically," Latimer said.

He said the county was limited in what it can do to prevent access to firearms. It did, however, ban gun shows on county property, including at the Westchester County Center.

The new law, which passed the county's Board of Legislators unanimously, requires every person, firm or corporation located in Westchester and engaged in the retail business of selling weapons to post a notice where weapons or firearms are displayed or delivered to the purchaser at the entrance to the site and in at least one additional area where sales occur.

Signage must have no smaller than 24-point bold type and be on paper at least 8-1/2 inches by 11 inches.

The warning is as follows:

Access to a weapon or firearm in the home significantly increases the risk of suicide, homicide, death during domestic disputes and unintentional deaths to children, household members and others. If you or a loved one is experiencing distress and/or depression, call the crisis prevention and response team at (914) 925-5959 or the national suicide hotline at 988.

Also, upon issuing a license, the county clerk will be required to provide the licensee a written copy of the notice indicating the warning risks of the presence of a weapon or firearm in one's residence.

Board Chairwoman Catherine Borgia brought the subject closer to home when she spoke of the times when her young children would go to other people's homes for play dates.

She said she would always ask if there was a gun in the house, and more than a few parents would say their children didn't know there was.

"But, they do know," Borgia said. "This will be a valuable reminder for anyone who is a buyer of a weapon that safety measures are critical for the well-being of their own loved ones."

Barry Graubart, a volunteer for the New York Chapter of Moms Demand Action, said he and the organization were glad to see a common-sense measure signed into law.

"Potential gun owners deserve to know what it means to have guns in their homes," he said, "and this ordinance is a major step toward creating that awareness."