State leaders renew push for online database to track ammo purchases in NY

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — During what’s been a violent year in Rochester, New York State lawmakers are looking to curb gun violence, and a new proposal would take that effort online.

During a public hearing Thursday held by the New York State Assembly, the proposal was brought up to create an ammunition database, which would track all ammo purchases in the state.

The database would allow for state police and any dealer to run a background check on any ammunition sale. The concept is not foreign, as it was supposed to be launched under the New York SAFE Act, but it was never implemented.

So far in 2021, Rochester has seen 63 murders, with 45 of the incidents being shootings. There’s been a total of 279 shootings so far in the year, which already outpaces the most in a given year over the last decade.

Community advocates say they’re on board.

Just like background checks are necessary and effective at preventing individuals who have a dangerous record from buying a gun, the same should apply to bullets," said Rebecca Fisher of New York Against Gun Violence.

Law enforcement officials said during the hearing they too, are in favor of the database, but argued the state’s bail reform law needs to be modified.