Release #220-98

Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958, Jennifer Chait (212) 788-8479

MAYOR GIULIANI SIGNS BILL THAT PROHIBITS THE SALE AND POSSESSION OF BOX CUTTERS TO PERSONS UNDER 21

--Mayoral Bill Component of Anti-Gang Strategy To Combat 'Weapon of Choice'--

--Remarks By Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani At Public Hearing On Local Laws--

The first bill before me today is Introductory Number 17-A, sponsored at my request by Speaker Vallone, Council Members Wooten, Leffler and a number of their colleagues. This legislation would amend the Administrative Code of the City of New York, in relation to the possession of box cutters on school premises or in a public place.

Specifically, Introductory Number 17-A would prohibit the sale of box cutters to, and ban the possession of such potentially dangerous weapons in a public place for any person under the age of 21. Any violation of this law would be punishable as a misdemeanor. Exceptions and defenses for the possession of box cutters are established for valid and appropriate educational and employment purposes.

This bill was originally introduced at my request in October of 1997 as part of my Administration's anti-gang strategy. This proposed local law expands upon Local Law 80 of 1995 which banned the sale of box cutters to minors, prohibited open displays of box cutters by sellers and barred the possession of box cutters on school premises by persons under the age of 22.

Introductory Number 17-A is a vital component of the Police Department's anti-gang strategy, as well as its efforts to protect the public safety of all New Yorkers. As has been publicly reported, box cutters have posed a tremendous threat throughout the City. They have become the weapon of choice among young people because they are relatively inexpensive, readily available, easily deployable and can cause great injury.

The present law which only bans the possession of box cutters on school premises has failed to address the growing problem of young people carrying box cutters as weapons to and from school and during their unsupervised activities outside of school. It is under these circumstances that the possession of box cutters is even more likely to lead to threats of danger and injury to the general public.

This bill is vital to the Police Department's law enforcement efforts, because it would provide the New York City Police Department with the necessary options to remove these dangerous weapons from the streets, before they are used to threaten, to menace, or to inflict serious injury.

For the reasons previously stated, I will now sign the bill.

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