By Rich Bockmann
State Sen. Malcolm Smith (D-St. Albans) Monday dedicated two parts of the Senate’s gun control bill to two southeast Queens mothers who lost their sons to gun violence.
“[In] many of our urban centers — Syracuse, Rochester, Albany and particular New York City — we’ve had a rash of illegal gun activities that have taken the lives of a number of young people throughout this city,” Smith said as the Senate voted 43-18 in favor of the sweeping reforms. “Many of you are familiar with them.”
The senator dedicated two pieces of the legislation that increase the penalties for gun possession charges to Donna Hood, whose 13-year-old son Kevin Miller was killed by a stray bullet in 2009, and Shenee Johnson, whose son Kendrick Morrow was fatally shot at a party in 2010.
The state Assembly was expected to vote on the legislation later Tuesday.
Reach reporter Rich Bockmann by e-mail at rbockmann@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4574.
