Town of Delaware resolution in support of the second amendment

Resolution passed unanimously February 20th 2014

RESOLUTION #21-2013: IN SUPPORT OF THE SECOND AMENDMENT:

Moved: Councilman Alfred Steppich
Seconded: Councilman Harold G. Roeder, Jr.

WHEREAS, the right of the People to keep and bear arms is guaranteed as an individual right under the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution and under the Constitution of the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, the right of the People to keep and bear arms for defense of life, liberty and property is regarded as an inalienable right by the People of the Town of Delaware, Sullivan County, New York; and

WHEREAS, the Town of Delaware derives economic benefit from all safe forms of firearm recreation, hunting and shooting conducted, with Delaware residents using all types of firearms allowable under the United States Constitution and under the Constitution of the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, the Delaware Town Board, being elected to represent the People of the Town of Delaware and being duly sworn by their oath of office to support the United States Constitution and the Constitution of the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, the New York State Assembly and the New York State Senate, being elected by the People of the State of New York and being duly sworn by their oath of office to support the United States Constitution and the Constitution of the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, legislation passed by the New York State Assembly and Senate infringes on the right to keep and bear arms and would ban the possession and use of firearms now employed by individual citizens of the Town of Delaware, for defense of life, liberty and property and would ban the possession and use of firearms now employed for safe forms of firearm recreation, including hunting and shooting conducted within the Town of Delaware, Sullivan County, New York; and

WHEREAS, the Delaware Town Board believes there are many less intrusive means available, other than rash, confusing and inarticulately drafted firearm laws that would effectively control, manage and reduce violence in our society; such as mental health reforms, anti-bullying programs for schools, enforcement of existing firearms laws to the fullest extent possible, and proper psychological counseling for those in need or who request it; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, that the Delaware Town Board does hereby oppose the enactment of any legislation that would infringe upon the right of the People to keep and bear arms and consider such laws to be unnecessary and beyond lawful legislative authority granted to our State representatives, as there is no documented correlation between gun control measures and crime reduction.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be sent to President Barack Obama, Vice President Joseph Biden, Senator Charles Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Congressman Chris Gibson, Governor Andrew Cuomo, Senator John Bonacic, Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther, and the Sullivan County Legislature.

The question of the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly put to a vote on roll call, resulting as follows:

Supervisor Edward T. Sykes voting aye,
Councilwoman Cindy Herbert voting aye;
Councilman John Gain voting aye;
Councilman Harold G. Roeder, Jr. voting aye; and
Councilman Alfred Steppich voting aye.

The resolution was thereupon declared duly adopted, AYES-5, NAYS-0