Category Archives: News

Letter to the Clerk of the Town of Bergen in support of their opposition to the SAFE Act from Assemblyman Steve Hawley

Preliminary Meeting Agenda 031213 by Nathan Hempel

SAFE Act resolution to get full Tompkins Legislature vote

 County lawmakers seeking amendments to N.Y. gun control law

At a special meeting Wednesday night, the lawmakers in attendance from the Public Safety Committee voted to send a resolution introduced by Mike Lane, D-Dryden, to the full legislature.

Lane’s resolution asks the state to solicit concerns about the gun control law from the public, analyze recommendations they receive and consider changes to the New York Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act to eliminate provisions that are unlikely to decrease gun violence and likely to burden law-abiding gun owners.

Like other county meetings on the topic, Wednesday’s event was packed beyond capacity. During public comments, more speakers came out against the NY SAFE Act than in favor of it, but there were a range of opinions expressed.

County lawmakers spent the rest of the meeting discussing different positions the municipality could take on the law.

Though the legislature is controlled by a strong Democratic majority, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have discussed amendments they would like to see.

Read more…

Stockport board opposes SAFE Act

The Stockport Town Board has voted unanimously on a resolution calling for the repeal of the NY SAFE Act, the sweeping gun control legislation passed by the State Legislature in January.

The resolution passed by the board charges that the state law curtails constitutional rights and that the town board “affirms support for the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and opposes attempts to infringe on those rights.”

In addition, the resolution takes issue with the state legislation for being approved with “scant public notice, very little public debate or review.” It further states that the town board “believes that an issue of this seriousness and effect should have been granted a respectful and appropriate period of debate, review and consideration.”

Read more…

Tusten opposes NY SAFE; Residents speak at public hearing

Supervisor Carol Ropke Wingert said, “The people who crafted this law have no clue what they’re talking about…. They’ve made criminals of good upstanding citizens.”

Councilman Tony Ritter mentioned the importance of holding a public hearing, as was happening that night, as opposed to the NY SAFE Act that was passed without one. He said, “One of the principles that I ran on in 2011 for the position of councilman for the Town of Tusten was the necessity of transparent government.” He went on to say, “This law was hurried and flawed due to emotionally charged events that have recently occurred.”

After it was put to a vote by the board, the resolution was passed unanimously. Similar resolutions have already been passed in other towns in the areas such as Thompson, Cochecton, and Callicoon, Liberty and Deer Park.

Councilman Ned Lang said, “It was great seeing everybody coming out and participating in the democratic process and voicing their opinions.”

Read more…

Town of Van Etten opposes NY SAFE act

The Town also passed the resolution that has been going around in opposition to the NY SAFE Act. The resolution voiced their displeasure on the restriction on individual rights, as well as the lack of review by the public and elected officials. The Chemung County Legislature also passed a similar resolution, according to representative Brian Hyland, who was at the Town meeting.

Read more…

West Seneca Town Board opposes the NY SAFE Act

The West Seneca Town Board, like many other governmental bodies in New York State, approved a resolution at Monday’s meeting officially opposing the recently enacted NY SAFE Act. Where one stands on the issue of gun control has nothing to do with most of the reasons behind the opposition and will not be debated here.

Read more …

Hammond opposes NY SAFE Act

As of March 12, Hammond joined 39 townships and 14 law enforcement agencies in the state who have voiced their disapproval with the state’s new law, dubbed the New York State Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act, or NYSAFE.

The resolution, written by Councilor Howard Demick, said the state’s lack of proper debate and discussion was a “flawed approach to the issue and a breach of government authority” and an infringement on the Second Amendment.

Read more…

Fenner town board formally opposes state gun law

The town of Fenner has joined the ranks of an increasing number of municipalities around New York to formally oppose the state’s recent gun restriction law — and recently received support for its move from local Assemblyman Bill Magee.

The Fenner Town Board approved Resolution No. 2, “Opposing the New York Secure Ammunition and Firearms Act of 2013” at its regular February meeting.

The resolution declares the law “fundamentally alters or abridges the right to keep and bear arms without addressing the problem of gun violence,” that it creates an environment hostile to gun manufacture and ownership and imposes burdensome new regulations on legal gun owners. It calls upon the state legislature and the governor to “annul this ill-conceived and poorly drafted statute.”

Read more…

Town of Boston Board asks that SAFE Act be reversed

After weeks of anticipation, the Boston Town Board held a public hearing regarding the New York State Safe Act in an effort to hear the opinions of town residents regarding the recent state legislation.

Several residents in attendance, including Councilman Jay Boardway, made it very clear where they stand in relation to the government’s attempt to regulate the use of firearms in this state.

and

Finally, the board formally resoled “that the town board of the town of Boston urgently ask (Cuomo) and the legislative leaders to suspend this law as soon as possible and to look at all the aspects of gun control using the proper legal procedure to bring about a law that will address gun control in a more logical manner, focusing on the real issue related to gun control – a law that will strengthen the effect on public safety and not infringe upon our constitutional rights.”

This resolution was unanimously approved by the board and was to be forwarded to Cuomo, Honorable Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, Majority Leader of Independent Democratic Caucus Jeff Klein, Honorable Senate Minority Leader John Sampson, Honorable Speaker of the Assembly Sheldon Silver, Honorable Leader of the Assembly Ron Canestrari, Honorable Minority Leader of the Assembly Brian Kolb and the Western New York Delegation and Erie County Legislators.

Read more…

GLENVILLE : Town Board backs repeal of SAFE Act

The Glenville Town Board is backing repeal of the New York SAFE Act.

More than 60 people packed Town Hall on Wednesday to request the board approve a resolution asking the state to scrap the law that bans the sale of assaultstyle weapons, caps the number of rounds a magazine can hold at seven, and requires private gun sellers to conduct background checks on prospective buyers.

Mark Storti, a sportsman who is member of two local fish and game clubs, said the law was passed hastily without any feedback from law enforcement and without the opportunity for legislators to even read the bill.

“We believe the New York SAFE Act violates our constitutional rights, infringes on our property rights. It will do very little to safeguard citizens,” he said.

Read more…