New York Assembly Passes Expanded Assault Weapons Ban

A wider range of semi-automatic rifles and pistols would become legally off-limits to gun buyers under legislation that passed the Democratic-controlled state Assembly yesterday.

Assemblyman John Lavelle (D-North Shore) sponsored the bill, arguing that "military-style guns" -- the kind used in several killings, including the executions of two undercover cops in Tompkinsville two years ago -- should not be sold legally. . . .

To become law, Lavelle's bill must pass the Republican-controlled state Senate and be approved by Gov. George Pataki. Based on history, it's not an impossible road.

Lavelle said his co-sponsor is Sen. Frank Padavan, a well-established Republican from Queens who, as a member of the majority party, could get a bill through the Senate.

Asked about the prospects for Lavelle's bill, state Sen. Diane Savino (D-North Shore/Brooklyn) said she would need to review it. A spokesman for Sen. John Marchi (R-Staten Island) said the same, but added that Marchi "feels nobody needs a combat weapon to go deer-hunting."

Do these guys even know what an a so-called "assault weapon" is?