Cuomo, a Democrat, described the new law as a "first-in-the-nation" action. However, New York isn't the first state to adopt red flag laws. At least 13 states and the District of Columbia have some variation of a red flag law.

Cuomo's office later clarified that the "first-in-the-nation" declaration was due to the inclusion of school officials as a party that could seek an extreme risk protection order.

Many of the states adopted red flag laws after the shooting at Marjory Stoneman High School in Parkland, Florida last year.

Seventeen people were killed and 17 more were injured in the Parkland shooting in February 2018. The shooter, a former student at the school, was known to police and teachers were concerned about his behavior.

"The red flag law will save lives," Cuomo said. "It is common sense. It is logical. It is factual."

The red flag law is the latest gun safety bill signed by Cuomo. In 2013, he successfully advocated for passage of the SAFE Act, which includes an assault weapons ban and expands background check provisions.