Call For Multi-State Gun-Traficking Task Force

In a letter sent last week to New York State Attorney General Letitia James, Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson (D-Newburgh) has called upon the Attorney General to establish a multi-state gun trafficking task force to combat the flow of illegal guns into the Hudson Valley and New York State. The task force would be comprised of state attorney generals along the I-95 corridor from North Carolina through the northeast.

“While gun violence is fueled by many factors, one thing is clear: the guns themselves are not manufactured in Poughkeepsie or Newburgh or anywhere else in the Hudson Valley or even New York State,” said Jacobson.

Jacobson noted that it is common knowledge that most of the illegal guns in New York originate in the southern part of the country, travelling north by way of I-95 and other highways.

“No one state can successfully combat gun trafficking,” said Jacobson. “But by banding together, we can have a real impact.”

Two of the cities Jacobson represents, Newburgh and Poughkeepsie, have experienced a rash of gun violence over the past year. In one tragic instance, a Poughkeepsie shooting recently claimed the life of a fifteen-year-old boy.

Jacobson said he has spoken with James’ office and they are very receptive to this idea.
“I know that the Attorney General is concerned about gun violence and I am hopeful that the Attorney General will initiate and lead this task force,” said Jacobson.