Under a new state law, someone possessing an illegal loaded gun will serve a mandatory three and a half years in state prison if convicted.

Westchester District Attorney Janet DiFiore was joined by other state and county leaders at Mount Vernon High School Wednesday to tell students about the new stringent gun law. As part of an awareness campaign, the DA drove home the message that having an illegal gun will put someone away for a long time. DiFiore's office has been circulating cards to law enforcement agencies throughout the county warning the public about the new law that took effect November 1. Mount Vernon Mayor Ernie Davis says he hopes the law will cause the number of illegal guns carried to go down.

Under the new law, a judge will not be able to reduce the sentence if someone is convicted.