POUGHKEEPSIE – City Police Tom Pape, a seasoned member of law enforcement for more than 30 years is calling for Congressional support to extend the federal ban on “ghost guns” that are placing his officers and community in danger. Pape joined US Senate Majority Lead Chuck Schumer, bipartisan lawmakers, and top law enforcement in the area on Monday to urge Congress to pass the extension today (Friday). The bill is set to expire for the first time in more than a decade and if not renewed, it would no longer be a federal crime to manufacture the untraceable, undetectable firearms.
Poughkeepsie cops recovered 45 illegal handguns in the four square mile city in 2023 and Pape noted that 25 percent of those weapons were ghost guns.
“It’s imperative and monumentally important that this bill passes,” Chief Pape said. On the illegal guns, Chief Pape said “Ghost guns are causing havoc on our streets.” Noting that the federal ban would help keep the city safe, Pape said it also helps keep his officers safe, saying that is “certainly a paramount job.”
A couple of officers told Mid-Hudson News that their safety is at a premium right now due to a shortage of officers in the city. “The contract says we’re supposed to have a total of 96 officers. We’re down to 92 and that includes at least 14 officers that are on injury or military leave among other excused leaves.” Asked how that is a safety issue, one officer said “Without the proper staffing levels, many of us have been mandated to work overtime which is tiring and you can’t be tired and deal with armed felons safely.” Several officers have been mandated to work 16-hour shifts due to the staffing shortage that has not been addressed by the common council.
Video of Chief Pape calling for passage of the bill:
Read the full article here
Leave a Reply