Safer Streets: Governor Hochul Convenes First Meeting of Expanded Interstate Task Force on Illegal Guns in Response to Federal Firearm Regulation Rollbacks

Governor Kathy Hochul today convened the first meeting of New York's expanded Interstate Task Force on Illegal Guns at the New York State Police Academy to strengthen partnerships among participating agencies and share intelligence and strategies to reduce gun violence. In July 2026, Governor Hochul directed Task Force members to reconvene to develop a coordinated interstate response to federal rollbacks that will make it easier for dangerous individuals to obtain firearms and harder to hold bad actors in the firearms industry accountable. Nearly 100 representatives from state, federal and local law enforcement agencies across the Northeast and neighboring states today met to re-affirm their commitment to the exchange of intelligence between states with the goal of reducing illegal gun violence and enhancing operations and capabilities in the face of federal rule changes regarding firearms.

"While our efforts have already resulted in a significant drop in gun violence across New York State, our work is not finished," Governor Hochul said. "We must continue to stay one step ahead of gun traffickers and work across state lines to address rollbacks to federal firearm regulations. I applaud the commitment of the New York State Police and all the participating agencies using their collective talents to keep our communities safe."

New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, "Stopping the flow of illegal guns into New York requires close cooperation with our law enforcement partners in other states. This Task Force helps us connect investigations, identify trafficking networks and act on information more quickly. We welcome our colleagues from Maryland and Delaware and look forward to working with them. I thank Governor Hochul for her continued support, and all of our partners for their commitment to reducing gun violence and protecting our communities."

The Task Force, first convened by Governor Hochul in January 2022 as part of a broad strategy to reduce gun violence and disrupt the flow of illegal guns into New York State, includes the New York State Police, NYPD, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and state and local law enforcement agencies from New York, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont, Ohio, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Maryland and Delaware.

Members of the Task Force are charged with improving the exchange of intelligence about interstate gun trafficking, with the shared goal of reducing the flow of illegal guns and gun violence, and will continue to share strategies and tactics that have proved successful in gun trafficking investigations and identify opportunities to collaborate on new or ongoing investigations.

Since taking office, Governor Hochul has invested nearly $4 billion in public safety initiatives, including more than $1 billion in gun violence prevention. These investments have contributed to a 67 percent reduction in shooting incidents involving injury over the past five years in the 28 communities participating in the state's Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative.

Governor Hochul has also spearheaded significant changes to state gun laws to help keep New Yorkers safe. This year's enacted state budget established a process to develop minimum safety standards for 3D printers sold in New York, including technology to prevent the illegal production of firearms and firearm parts; criminalized the unlawful possession, sale or distribution of digital blueprints used to manufacture firearms and firearm parts; and restricts sales of pistols that can readily be converted into illegal machine guns using common household tools.