Albany

Controversy over the SAFE Act, the 2013 gun control law pushed through by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, continues across New York's political landscape.

The latest dispute erupted Thursday during a legislative budget hearing that revealed efforts to create an ammunition-sales registry are continuing — very slowly.

Margaret Miller, who oversees the state Office for Information Technology Services, told lawmakers that her agency had devised three options for setting up an ammunition database and presented them to the State Police, which under the SAFE Act would maintain the system.

At Thursday's hearing, Miller said all three potential designs for the system were rejected by the State Police.

The database would enable background checks by ammunition dealers, such as firearms or sporting good stores, for people buying bullets or shells. The dealers would have to report the sales, including the amount of ammunition sold, to the state. The program was intended to flag potential large purchases by individuals who might be planning acts of violence.

In July, Cuomo and Senate Republican Majority Leader John Flanagan signed a memorandum of understanding stating that no money would go toward funding or deploying the ammunition database without the approval of Flanagan.

Several Republican opponents of the SAFE Act crowed that the deal effectively meant the database would never go on line.

The Cuomo administration insisted that was not the case, arguing the memorandum merely meant the system wouldn't be implemented until it was ready.

At the session, Miller also drew a rebuke from Western New York Republican Sen. Cathy Young, recently named chairwoman of the chamber's Finance Committee.

Young took issue with Miller's contention that more than $27 million had been allocated in the 2013-2014 budget to support the SAFE Act's provisions. "That was not a true statement — there was no lining out in the state budget regarding those funds," Young said.

Miller apologized.

"We have not yet spent money on the ammunition database," Miller said in response to another question from the lawmaker.

"You're aware of the MOU that's in place ... not to develop the database?" Young asked.

" ... We have done research, but that's all we've done with regard to the ammunition database," Miller said.

The database was originally supposed to be up and running in January 2014. What happened?

That depends on who you talk to.

"I spoke with the governor's office earlier this week and indeed they are working on it," said Leah Gunn Barrett, executive director of New Yorkers Against Gun Violence, on Friday.

Barrett said she spoke recently with Cuomo's Counsel Alphonso David and Deputy Secretary for Public Safety Terence O'Leary, who assured her the work was proceeding.

The extent to which Miller's agency is actively developing a database, however, isn't clear. Her office on Friday refused to expand upon her comments at the hearing, or provide any information about the three systems proposed to the State Police.

The Republican-controlled Senate isn't going to approve more spending on the project any time soon.

The SAFE Act, which also expanded the definition of banned assault-style weapons, has been a rallying point for many upstate GOP lawmakers who represent areas with large populations of hunters and shooting enthusiasts, many of whom view the law as an infringement on their federal Second Amendment rights. Flanagan, who hails from suburban Long Island, voted in favor of the bill, which passed a month after the killings in Sandy Hook. He has subsequently criticized elements of the law.

Cuomo has touted the legislation as one of the signal accomplishments of his first term, though it has put a significant dent in his support in many parts of upstate.

On the other side of the issue, the governor drew criticism from downstate Democrats after signing the memorandum in July. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie called the two-way agreement "an ill-advised end run around the Legislature."

The governor's advocacy for more vigorous action against gun violence escalated sharply in September following the shooting of his aide Caray Gabay, who died days after being struck in the head by a stray bullet in Brooklyn.

Cuomo has said the establishment of the registry would be dependent in part on getting the proper technology. His office confirmed on Friday he was committed to the database.

Barrett was told that the database needs to be quickly and easily accessed by ammunition retailers, including those who live in regions without sufficient broadband capabilities.

"They don't want the system to prevent any significant delays for the purchaser," she said.

rkarlin@timesunion.com • 518-454-5758 • @RickKarlinTU