Gianaris said that in New York City alone, the number of shootings have increased by 12 percent from the beginning of this year through early July, compared to the same time last year. With the illegal gun controversy at fever pitch in New York City and crime rates slowly climbing, state Senator Michael Gianaris has announced plans to introduce a series of bills to strengthen New York state’s gun control laws.

The Astoria lawmaker said his package of legislation would make NYS first in the nation for having the toughest gun control laws. Presently, it ranks fourth in the country, he said, according to criteria established by the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence.

In announcing his legislative plans, the Queens Democrat stated: “The recent rash of gun violence makes clear that enough is enough. It is long past time to improve our gun laws and New York should lead the way.

“With the enactment of these sensitive gun laws, New York will establish itself as the nation’s leader in combating gun violence. I will continue to push hard until we get results and make the streets safer.”

Gianaris said that according to New York state law, firearms do not include weapons used for hunting or sport, but are defined as a pistol, revolver and so-called sawed off shotgun or rifle.

Gianaris said his bills would do the following:

•Limit the purchase of a firearm to one per month and limit a firearm dealer from selling to any individual who has purchased such a weapon within the previous 30 days;

•Establishes a universal background check to close a loophole in firearm sales and require background checks for all gun sales, even transitions between private sellers and buyers.

•Require prospective purchasers to obtain a firearm safety certificate, which can only be acquired after the successful completion of a safe- ty training course that includes live firing, a safe-handling demonstration and a written test of firearm laws.

•Impose a 10 day waiting period to the sale of a firearm in order to give law enforcement officials enough time to perform a thorough background check of the prospective owner. This would allow for a cooling off period to help guard against impulsive acts of violence.

•Close several gaps in the regulation of firearms and sale of ammunition, including requiring dealer permits to sell firearms, rifles, shotguns and ammunition, require insurance for permitted dealers and mandating dealers to report all firearm and ammunition sales within 24 hours to the State Division of Criminal Justice Services. Records of all sales must be kept on file by the state for at least 10 years.

Gianaris said that in New York City alone, the number of shootings have increased by 12 percent from the beginning of this year through early July, compared to the same time last year.

He also pointed out that New York trails California, New Jersey and Massachusetts in the Brady Center’s ranking for the nation’s toughest gun laws. The passage of the Gianaris proposals, along with previously introduced gun control measures by his fellow senators, would push New York’s ranking to number one and better ensure our public safety, he said.