On a sweltering hot Wednesday afternoon, New York State Governor George Pataki signed a series of gun safety measures into law, making New York a safer state and a leader when it comes to gun control legislation.

The bill was appropriately signed at the Merillon Avenue train station of the Long Island Rail Road in Garden City. The site is near the location of a brutal shooting, which occurred in December 1993, claiming the lives of, among others, the husbands of Mineola resident Joyce Gorycki and Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy.

"Today, we pass the strongest anti-gun violence legislation ever in America and it's about time," said Pataki.

Those on hand, including several lawmakers such as New York State Senator Michael Balboni, Assemblywoman Maureen O'Connell and Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy, applauded efforts of the assembly, senate and the governor in enacting the gun safety package into law.

New Yorkers Against Gun Violence, an organization that has been fighting for the reduction of gun-related violence, called the measures "a landmark package." The governor signed into law the following measures:

* A gun DNA program, which requires a shell casing from every handgun sold in NYS to be sent to the State Police for use later in tracing handguns used in crimes. "This will allow us to trace evidence left at the scene of a crime. Not often do we find the shells but very often we find the shell casings. We will have a computerized laboratory where those shell casings can be matched against that record so we can find where that gun came from," Pataki said.

* Background checks on all gun sales at all gun shows in New York State. Previously, gun shows had not been subject to the Brady Law unless there was a sale involving a federally licensed dealer. According to Pataki, New York is the first state in the nation to close this loophole. "It's closed permanently to protect the people of New York State," said Pataki.

* An assault weapons ban matching the federal ban so that violators can be prosecuted in local courts for the possession and sale of assault weapons and large capacity ammunition feeding devices in New York State. "They will now be illegal under state law so that our prosecutors will be able to go after people who violate this provision, have assault weapons or sell assault weapons illegally so that they can be put behind bars," Pataki said.

* Raising the age for a handgun permit to 21 for the entire state. "You will have to be 21 to purchase a handgun in this state just as you have to be 21 to purchase a beer. It's common sense. It will make our schools and our communities safer," the governor said.

* The creation of a new crime for the purchase of a gun by those who cannot lawfully own one and those who purchase a gun for someone else. "It will be illegal for that person and it will be illegal for you to use a 'straw purchaser' to purchase that gun," said Pataki.

* A requirement that child safety locks be sold with all firearms in the state and, with the sale of every gun, manufacturers must include information on the safe storage of guns.

* A gun interdiction program to identify and prosecute gun traffickers who bring guns into New York from states with more lenient laws.

* A requirement that all lost or stolen guns be reported to the police within 24 hours of the discovery that is lost or stolen.

* A study of possible smart gun technology to be conducted by the State Police that will be a valuable tool in making firearms less dangerous. Such technology would enable a gun to be fired only by the person who lawfully owns it.

Pataki expressed his pride over the legislation, stating that the rest of the nation should take a look at what New York has done. "We hope this serves as a national model. We hope other states follow. We hope Washington follows," he said.

The governor also made it clear that he respects the rights of citizens to protect their homes, protect their families and engage in legitimate hunting and sporting activities. However, he said the legislation, in no way, takes that right away. "This bill takes the right of someone to engage in illegal activity because we haven't closed these loopholes. Now, they are closed for all-time in New York State and our streets, schools and families will be the safer because of it," Pataki said.

Speaker of the assembly Sheldon Silver said it was "one more crime after one more crime" that enabled Republican and Democrat lawmakers to work together on the issue of gun safety.

An emotional Congresswoman McCarthy, who lost her husband in the shooting incident in 1993, which also badly wounded her son, struggled to fight back tears. "My goal is not to cry," she said as she began speaking to those gathered.

The congresswoman went on to thank the governor, the state assembly, the state senators and all the victims and friends who have been fighting the battle for years. "When someone votes for gun safety here in New York or across this country, it's almost like they become a marked person," McCarthy said.

The congresswoman also stated she will continue to fight for what New York has done on the federal level. "When I go back to Washington in September, I will take Governor Pataki's bill and I will hold it up to the floor and I will say to all my colleagues - Republicans and Democrats - this is what we can do to save lives when we all work together," McCarthy said. "Today is a victory not only for the victims, but for those who have not been victims. That is the only thing we were trying to do."