The law was denounced at the time by gun rights advocates and alienated voters in some upstate communities, like the one where Dr. Bello bought his weapon. It is also legal for these dealers, who have both a federal firearms license and a New York State license, to modify the weapons to make them comply with state law. Dr. Bello carried a semiautomatic AM-15, which is Anderson Manufacturing’s version of the AR-15, a civilian rifle close in design to the M-16. Dr. Bello had a criminal record, but he had been convicted of a misdemeanor, which would not have kept him from buying the gun. So, as a practical matter, Dr. Bello “had his 30 rounds,” the official said.

Source: New York Times July 04, 2017 00:00 UTC