There are harsher penalties effective Wednesday for those carrying illegal guns in New York.The new law now requires a minimum prison sentence of three and a half years for the illegal possession of a loaded firearm and a maximum sentence of 15 years. Under the old law, probation was allowed as a sentence and the maximum sentence was seven years. Elected officials say the change will take guns off the streets of the Bronx and across the state.Mayor Bloomberg (R-NY) joined Governor Pataki (R-NY) to sign the legislation on Tuesday. Bloomberg said New York is now the toughest place for someone to get caught with an illegal gun.