There has been an important development in our efforts to stop the flow of deadly weapons into our communities.

Ghost guns, those guns that can be built easily with plastic in any home, have become an increasing danger in our City. Until recently, these weapons were unidentifiable and easily accessible. Federal legislation has recently been enacted that takes a strong step in combatting this increasing threat.  

Gun components such as frames and receivers will require serial numbers, dealers of polymer gun components and firearms kits must be federally licensed and keep account of their sales and buyers must undergo background checks before legally obtaining them.

We know this development will not stop individuals who are intent upon obtaining illicit weapons but it is a powerful stopgap against one major stream of deadly weapons coming into our community.

This week, a 55-year-old Whitestone man was charged with 67 counts of criminal possession of a weapon and other crimes. investigators from my Office seized 42 illegal firearms from his residence including 15 fully assembled ghost gun semiautomatic pistols; 23 commercially manufactured weapons, including semiautomatic pistols, revolvers, shotguns, and rifles; two AR-15 ghost gun assault-style rifles, one of which was a fully automatic machine gun; two commercially manufactured AR-15 assault rifles; two silencers; 33 high-capacity magazines; and thousands of rounds of ammunition.

We will not relent in our efforts to take dangerous, illegal guns off our streets and prevent the tragic incidents that result when they come into the hands of criminals.

Yesterday I joined Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar at Shri Tulsi Mandir Temple in South Richmond Hill.

In less than two weeks, there have been two incidents of property damage and defacement there. In the most recent incident on August 16th, six men allegedly sledgehammered a statue of the beloved Mahatma Mohandas Gandhi to pieces and spray painted Hindi slurs onto the street.

Shri Tulsi Mandir is a vibrant center of outreach and service where thousands of community members find support and strength. We stand together in condemning the acts of violence there.

Last Saturday, the Community Partnerships Division participated in the inaugural United Community Peace March on Sutphin Boulevard in Jamaica. The NYPD 113th Precinct Council brought together elected officials, community organizations and leaders in solidarity with residents to reduce violence.

I was honored to give a keynote address at this event and hope to participate in many more in years to come.

Our Office of Immigrant Affairs joined Kehilat Sephardim of Ahavat Achim in Kew Gardens Hills to distribute much-needed Kosher food pantry items and to share important immigrant-related resources.

Please join me next Wednesday in observing International Overdose Awareness Day at sites in Flushing, Bayside and Jamaica for life-saving skills and information.

Opioid overdoses continue to claim lives and we must spread the word about potentially life-saving interventions. Participants will receive free Narcan kits and training.