Resolution regarding the NY Safe Act. Barb and Don Christmas provided a draft resolution opposing the enactment of any legislation that would infringe upon the rights of the people to keep and bear arms, calling for the NY Safe Act to be repealed, for the Board’s consideration. Boardmembers briefly discussed the document. Supervisor Lightfoote stated that we could not act on this tonight, we need more time to review it as well as the NY Safe Act, the NY Constitution and the US Constitution.
Mrs. Christmas stated that there might be a deadline for such resolutions, a time limit when the Safe Act could be appealed. The document should be sent to State representatives etc.
Mr. and Mrs. Christmas thanked the Board for considering their request.
On the motion by Councilmember Glitch, seconded by Councilmember Negley, a motion was made to adopt the resolution calling for the NY Safe Act to be repealed. There was no emergency therefore should never have been enacted, there was no imminent threat or danger to the State, the three day review period should have been implemented. Roll call vote was taken: Councilmembers Glitch, Negley, Adam-Anderson and Case and Supervisor Lightfoote all voting YES.
Motion carried. (5-0). 055-2013
Resolution in Support of the Second Amendment
Whereas, the Gorham Town Board, being elected to represent the people of Gorham and being duly sworn by their Oath of office to uphold the United States Constitution and the Constitution of the State of New York, and;
Whereas, the New York State Assembly and 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 uphold the United States Constitution and the Constitution of the State of New York, and;
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 the defense of life, liberty, and property is regarded as an inalienable right by the People of the Town of Gorham, Ontario County, New York; and
Whereas, on January 15,2013 the Legislature of the State of New York passed named NY SAFE Act which contains multiple violations of said rights; and
Whereas, this passage occurred within a period of less than twenty-four hours of introduction to the legislature, thereby not allowing the mandatory three day review period; and
Whereas, each and every bill that comes before the New York State Legislature before and enactment deserves a fair and open discussion that supports the people’s right to know and access to information which incorporates all points of view in order to ensure that all citizens are heard and that the Legislation has its intended purpose, and in this case benefits the people of the State of New York in reducing gun violence; and
Whereas, the NY SAFE Act bans the possession and use of firearms now employed by individual citizens of the Town of Gorham for the defense of Life, Liberty, Property and would ban possession and use of firearms now employed for safe forms of firearms recreation, hunting and shooting conducted within the Town of Gorham, Ontario County, New York;
Whereas, The Gorham Town Board believes that there are many other less intrusive means available, that would effectively reduce, control, and manage violence in our society, such as, mental health reforms, enforcement of existing firearms laws to the fullest extent possible, and proper psychological counseling for those in need or requesting it; and
Now, therefore, it be and is hereby Resolved that the Gorham 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 Resolved that the Town Board of Gorham finds these aforementioned and any other infringements upon the rights of the citizens to keep and bear arms unconstitutional and illegal.
Be it Resolved that the Town Board of Gorham does hereby propose the repeal of the NY SAFE ACT.
Be it further Resolved that copy of the resolution be sent to…..
Motion
Roll call