Four prominent area elected officials -- all Republicans -- gathered on the steps of the old Genesee County courthouse today to call attention to legislation that shows every sign of being enacted that will curb the rights of law-abiding gun owners.
Sen. Mike Ranzenhofer led the press conference, which included Assemblyman Steve Hawley, Sheriff Gary Maha and County Clerk Don Read.
The four men underscored three key points: The legislation will do nothing to curb crime, it is out of step with the interests of upstate New York, and it will burden county governments with yet one more unfunded mandate.
While there are more than a dozen new gun restrictions being pushed by legislative Democrats, the key piece of legislation under fire by Ranzenhofer today would require the renewal of gun carry permits every five years.
Both Ranzenhofer and Hawley noted that such legislation will do nothing to deter criminals, who don't bother with gun permits anyway.
"Basically what you have legislators from New York City who feel it might be appropriate in their community trying to impose their New York City will on Genesee County," Ranzenhofer said.
Here are five related documents (PDF):
- Ranzenhofer Press Release
- Hawley Press Release
- Don Read Press Release
- Gun Permit Legislation
- Roll Call of Assembly Vote on Legislation
I had a couple of video problems -- sound, misbehaving tripod, chiefly -- with covering the press conference today, but the worse problem is that I had to change tapes (it seem that long ago that I started a new tape) during the PC, and that tape somehow did not make it home with me tonight for editing. Below is what little video I have available now, where in Ranzenhofer, at the very end, sums up some of the key points of opposition to the legislation.
UPDATE 5/4/09: I got ahold of the other tape and pulled off what was recoverable, which was statements by Hawley, Maha and Read
Remember the 1st Bush using
Remember the 1st Bush using the Willie Horton "race card" cynically to score political points? Razenhofer, Hawley & their cohorts predictably are shameless in their playing of "the New York City card" to divert voters attention from the real issues we face on a daily basis. It's just so much easier to blame all of upstate New York's problems on the big bogeyman, New York City rather than to propose, debate & enact sensible solutions to these problems. Why is it that whenever the NRA lobby says jump, these guys jump? Voters, do you really believe our upstate New York sportsmen need AK47 machine guns to hunt deer, bear & small game?
David, A better question is
David,
A better question is why is the State doing this at all?
What's wrong with the current system? Is this just another way to suck money into Albany?
History point: I understand your point on Willie Horton, and you are right about Bush, but it was Al Gore who first used Willie Horton against Mike Dukakis. Bush then just jumped on the band wagon.
Our 2nd amendment right to
Our 2nd amendment right to firearms has zero to do with putting food on the table or trophy hunting so your point about the type of weapon anyone is able to purchase is moot. Secondly, there are numerous laws on the books already which make it illegal to purchase a machine gun.