NY Gov Affirms Belief in Gun Law

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ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Governor Andrew Cuomo says gun control is controversial, but the law he pushed through in New York has broad support and he believes it will save lives.

Asked about thousands rallying against the law in Albany while he visited Brooklyn on Thursday, Cuomo tells reporters he is a gun owner and the change in the law is long overdue. Acknowledging 30 percent of New Yorkers are opposed and feel strongly about it, he calls the law "a reasonable approach" to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and the mentally ill that also bans high-capacity assault weapons that can kill many people quickly.

The protesters say the law infringes on their Second Amendment right to bear arms and will make criminals of law-abiding citizens while criminals will ignore it.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.