Legislative leaders are “95 percent” there to an agreement on gun control legislation that would tighten the state’s assault weapons ban while also increase sentences on illegal firearm use, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver told reporters this morning.

Silver, along with Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos and Gov. Andrew Cuomo toured the latest renovations at the Capitol before the governor gives his latest State of the State address at 1:30 this afternoon. YNN will carry the speech live, along with analysis.

There’s speculation that a deal could be announced before or even during the governor’s speech.

But as for the sticking points — the 5 percent if you will — it’s unclear.

“It’s still be known,” Silver said. “It’s still to be identified.”

Cuomo is pushing New York to become the first state in the nation to adopt new gun control legislation in the wake of the shooting that killed 20 children at an elementary school in Connecticut.

“I think New York leads the nation in everything,” Silver said. ”I think New York should lead the nation in this.”

Silver said “if necessary” he would keep lawmakers in town to pass gun control this week if an agrement is made.

 

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