Saladino Explains 'No' Gun Vote

Assemb. Joseph Saladino says he voted against the state's new gun law because he feels the legislation isn't tough enough on criminals and was rushed through the legislature too quickly.

Saladino, R-Massapequa, was one of 43 Assembly members to vote "No" on the new law, which was passed last week, a month after the tragedy in Newtown, Conn.

The law limits the number of bullets allowed in magazines to seven and requires background checks on ammunition buyers and makes bringing a gun onto school grounds a felony.

But Saladino said the law could be tougher.

"This bill doesn't do anywhere near enough to protect our children," he said.

The Assemblyman said that the bill was rushed though the legislature.

"The proces was atrocious," he said. They gave [the bill] to us at 11 p.m. for a 10 a.m. vote the next day."

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As a result of the quick passage, Saladino said law enforcement officers might encounter problems in schools. 

"You can argue that police officers who go into schools with more than seven rounds in the magazines may be in violation of the law," he said.

The Democrats in the Assembly majority have indicated that they will amend the law to fix the potential problem, according to Saladino, who added, "It hasn't happened yet."

Saladino said that he plans to introduce his own bill to address problems he has with the new law.

He will call for longer mandated sentences for those who murder school-age children. He also wants additional security in schools and wants to find better ways to keep guns out of the hands of the mentally ill, while adding a component to the law addressing drug addiction and limiting access to guns for those who are undergoing drug rehabilitation.

Related: See what West Islip residents had to say about the new gun law.