The U.S. Senate is on the verge of breaking a decades-old deadlock by approving a bipartisan gun reform plan.

What You Need To Know

  • Weeks after deadly mass shootings in Texas and New York, the U.S. Senate could soon pass new gun reforms - something Congress has not been able to do in years

  • In some ways, New York - which has some of the strictest gun laws in the country - is already outpacing what Congress is posed to do

  • The Senate plan toughens penalties for gun trafficking, providing an extra tool to reduce the flow of guns up the East Coast into New York, known as the iron pipeline

Sen. Charles Schumer — who calls the legislation “real progress” that will save lives — is pledging to hold a vote before the end of the week.

But, what does the bill mean for New York, a state with already some of the strictest gun laws in the nation? In some ways, New York is already outpacing what Congress is poised to do.

For instance, New York recently raised the age to purchase a semi-automatic weapon to 21. The Senate bill would only require enhanced background checks for prospective gun buyers from 18 to 21. 

The Senate bill also provides funding to help states set up red flag laws, a process by which weapons can be removed from a person deemed a threat to themselves or others. 

But New York already has a red flag law on the books. A congressional aide tells NY1 the state could still benefit from the funding to enhance and better administer the state’s pre-existing program. 

Many of the gun-related crimes in New York are attributed to weapons brought in from southern states where it is relatively easy to buy firearms. In this regard, the federal proposal could help New York, says SUNY Cortland Prof. Robert Spitzer, who has written several books on gun policy. 

“It'll encourage surrounding states to raise their standards, even if it's by the modest degree proposed in this legislation,” Spitzer said. 

Another possible benefit for New York, Spitzer says: the Senate plan toughens penalties for gun trafficking, providing an extra tool to reduce the flow of guns up the East Coast into New York, known as the iron pipeline. 

The overall Senate legislative deal includes a host of provisions, from enhanced background checks for young gun buyers to funding for mental health services. But it leaves out other provisions, like limits on high capacity magazines. 

Several New Yorkers in Congress wish it would go further. 

“Having said that, some progress is better than none at all,” Bronx Democratic Congressman Ritchie Torres said.

Provided the bill clears the Senate, it still needs to win approval in the House before it can go to the president's desk.