N.Y. Gov. Cuomo Proposes Assault Weapons Ban

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Monday that New York needs an assault weapons ban, not just the increased penalties for illegal gun possession that Republicans are backing.

Cuomo, a Democrat, said a plan from Senate Republican Majority Leader Dean Skelos that includes tougher prison sentences for illegal gun possession, using them for crimes or taking them on school property doesn't go far enough in the wake of a shooting a Connecticut school that killed 26 people.

Asked for his definition, Cuomo said, "Rifle with high-capacity magazine" and the characteristics of an assault weapon, but did not elaborate on exactly the traits he means. He is expected to present his gun proposal in his State of the State Address on Wednesday.

New York already bans assault weapons defined as semi-automatic guns that can accept detachable magazines and have military-style features like pistol grips, flash suppressors and bayonet mounts. Cuomo has described that ban as having "significant loopholes."

Read the full Associated Press story.