A new state law aimed at preventing local mass casualty shootings, takes effect Saturday. Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the bill back in February.

The bill was part of a broader package of gun control measures considered the most sweeping since the passage of the SAFE Act in 2003.

"We have to ensure Buffalo and Erie County does not have a Dayton incident or an El Paso incident," said John Flynn, (D) Erie County district attorney.

Flynn outlined the Red Flag Law Thursday, designed to temporarily remove firearms from someone who pose a threat to themselves or others. It also prohibits a person from trying to purchase a firearm as well. 

"One of the biggest things we can do now to alleviate mass shootings is to do what we can to limit the means of an individual who may commit the shooting," Flynn said.

The law gives Flynn, school leaders, police agencies, and family members, the power to ask a civil court for an extreme risk protection order before an arrest is made. It's designed to identify the person as having experienced a trauma or crisis before a crime takes place.

"And a family member's going to know that, if it's a student, a school official is going to know that. Someone close to this person, perhaps law enforcement in the community, may know that as well," Flynn said.

Flynn warns those filing to use common sense and not target someone out of retaliation.

"This law is going to have an impact on lawful gun owners," Flynn said.

"That is kind of my concern as we go into that discussion nationally," said Rep. Tom Reed, (R) 23rd Congressional District.

Republican Congressman Tom Reed says he's heard a number of concerns from rural constituents, including second amendment supporters and sportsmen. 

"They empathize with the situation. They recognize we've got to get to the issue of violence in our nation and prevent these mass shootings, but to attack law abiding citizens just for the sake of doing something to say we did something, is something they're frustrated with," Reed said.

Flynn says his office will work to balance the rights of law abiding citizens with gun owners in crisis. 

"If you put two and two together, having trauma, having mental illness, having a drug problem, having an alcohol problem. And you address that problem, hopefully we can prevent further mass shootings," Flynn said.

New York is the 13th state to enact the law.