Pataki Toughens Illegal Gun Laws

Mayor Bloomberg was in Albany to witness Governor Pataki sign a bill that increases penalties for carrying a loaded illegal gun. Previously, the minimum sentence was 1 year - now it's 3 1/2 years. This news comes as prices for illegal guns are apparently "soaring" in the city, given the Mayor's efforts to curb them. It's also interesting to see these two men together - they both may or may not have presidential ambitions.

In other political news:
- Mayor Bloomberg and Senator Schumer wrote an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal to make the case for keepign NYC the #1 financial capital.
- State Comptroller Hevesi's lawyers are claiming the ethics commission rushed to judgement; it's unclear whether that'll help him win re-election, though.
- WNYC's Brian Lehrer has a great comparison of Spitzer's and Faso's stances on the issues.
- And Wyoming Republican Rep. Barbara Cubin brands opponent Gary Trauner "a New Yorker" (Trauner last lived in NYC 16 years ago!) to sway voters. Cubin's spokesperson says, "The guy's from New York. It's not a good fit. He's too liberal. He's just not familiar with Wyoming's issues. For example, in New York City, you don't have a wolf problem. We have a big wolf problem in Wyoming."

Photograph of Mayor Bloomberg watch Governor Pataki sign a law increasing penalties to those found with illegal guns in Albany by Tim Roske/AP