WHEREAS, gun violence poses a serious threat to the health and quality of life of all residents of the state of New York; and

WHEREAS, gun violence is reaching crisis levels: gun violence is the leading cause of premature death in the U.S. and gun injuries total $280 billion in healthcare/societal costs annually; and

WHEREAS, since January 2021, gun violence is up 48% in New York City, 22% in Albany, 88% in Buffalo and 95% in Rochester; and

WHEREAS, urban communities in New York State are disproportionately affected by the direct and indirect consequences of gun violence; and

WHEREAS, urban communities in New York State typically experience a spike in gun violence in the summer months; and

WHEREAS, at least 50% of homicides and 55% of nonfatal shootings involve people associated with gangs or more loosely-affiliated "street groups"; and

WHEREAS, the cycle of escalatory gun provides insight into where future shootings will occur which allows an immediate crisis response; and

WHEREAS, the collection and analysis of data from local law enforcement agencies can help target state funds and services needed to reduce gun violence and save lives in communities with high rates of gun-related violence; and

WHEREAS, data collected can be utilized to support proven community violence intervention programs, summer employment opportunities and other investments known to reduce crimes and make our neighborhoods safer; and

WHEREAS, the state has an obligation to act in a manner consistent with the science and data on gun violence in order to prevent imminent and immediate harm to communities across the state; and

WHEREAS, the science and data suggest that deployment of more violence interrupters, and provision of summer employment programs will have an immediate ameliorative effect on the increased violence that has been occurring in these communities; and

WHERAS, it is necessary to suspend certain provisions of law, rule or regulation which would otherwise hamper the efforts of the State to respond to this crisis.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ANDREW M. CUOMO, Governor of the State of New York, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the State of New York do hereby extend the suspensions and modifications of law as contained in Executive Order 211 through September 4, 2021.