Here is where I will be posting all of the statements from legislators on the newly-passed law strengthening the state's gun control laws, which I hear Gov. Andrew Cuomo will be signing immediately:

For Immediate Release: January 15, 2013

Statement from Assemblyman Jim Tedisco (R,C,I-Glenville)

“It would be a shame not to do something about the type of violence we’ve seen recently but it would be more shameful to do something that accomplishes nothing except giving people a false sense of well-being and that’s what will happen today.

Facts are difficult things to deal with when you’re trying to put forth an agenda in the dark of night when this bill was conceived, and in Bob Woodward’s words, the worst thing we have to fear as Americans is ‘secret government’ because in darkness democracy dies.

Today we’re being asked to vote on legislation that would purportedly make New York a safer state but will accomplish nothing but penalizing law-abiding New Yorkers. Here are the facts: rifles accounted for 5 of the 769 homicides in New York State in 2011.  That same year, 161 deaths were caused by stabbings and 31 were from a blunt instrument such as a hammer.  This legislation does not take any of this into account.

I support increasing penalties on those who commit acts of violence on school grounds and I support strengthening our mental health laws to prevent those who are unfit to own a gun to never have access to a firearm. We must strengthen penalties for anyone who uses an illegal gun or illegally gives a gun to someone who is prohibited from using one so we may prevent tragedies like what happened in Webster, NY against our brave first responders.

What is taking place today is secret government at its worst.  I support our 2^nd Amendment constitutional rights and I do not believe that something as important as our freedoms should be tinkered with to grab a headline.  I will be voting against this measure.”

In case you missed it, here’s a link to Assemblyman Jim Tedisco’s remarks on the Floor of the Assembly this afternoon in support of our 2^nd Amendment rights.  Below also find a statement from Tedisco on the bill currently being debated in the Assembly.

Here’s a direct link to the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hy9RvnWe0mE

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For IMMEDIATE Release: January 15, 2013

STEC: GUN CONTROL BILL A SHOT AT

RESPONSIBLE FIREARM OWNERS

Assemblyman Dan Stec (R,C,I-Queensbury) voted against legislation today severely limiting residents’ constitutional right to bear arms, citing unreasonable restrictions placed upon responsible gun owners and the lack of time for both legislators and the public to read the particulars of the legislation.

“The bill that passed the Assembly today is a slap in the face to legal, responsible gun owners,” said Stec. “There are elements of this legislation that I support, such as the strengthening of Kendra’s Law, increased penalties for illegal firearm usage and the measures taken to protect first responders. However, I cannot support a bill where large parts severely restrict the constitutional rights of our sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts and ignores overwhelming information that shows restricting access to firearms is not a solution to solving gun violence in our communities.

“Passing a bill that directly infringes upon our Second Amendment rights without taking the time for the public and the Legislature to have a true dialogue about gun control, school safety and other ways to protect our loved ones from future tragedies is distressing.

“In the wake of the horrible events in Sandy Hook and Webster, there needs to be a meaningful discussion about gun violence in our communities that includes better mental health treatment and the content in our popular culture. It’s a disservice to victims of gun violence that the bill hastily presented today missed the mark and avoided that important discussion in favor of political theater.”

 

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For Immediate Release: January 14, 2013

NYS SENATOR KATHLEEN MARCHIONE: TONIGHT’S GUN CONTROL LEGISLATION WEAKENS THE SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS OF NEW YORKERS, CRACKING DOWN ON CRIMINALS AND ADDRESSING MENTAL HEALTH SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE SOLE FOCUS

Senator Marchione keeps her promise and votes “NO” on restrictive new gun control; will launch an on-line petition to repeal and replace package’s restrictive gun control measures, asks Second Amendment supporters to stand strong – and stand with her

Statement from New York State Senator Kathleen A. Marchione (R,C-Halfmoon)

            “Tonight, the Second Amendment Constitutional freedoms of every New Yorker were weakened by passage of restrictive new gun control.  As shortsighted as the new gun control policy is, the hasty process used to adopt it was even worse.  It was a shame that a Message of Necessity was used to rush this important measure through without a single public hearing or the proper time to carefully review the bill and consider alternatives.  This is not how democracy is supposed to function.  More time, more discussion, more dialog would have allowed our constituents to have a greater voice in this process and for legislators to hold town hall meetings and hear directly from the people they serve.

            Law-abiding citizens are NOT the issue: millions of New Yorkers own firearms and do so safely, responsibly and legally.  The real issue, the real threat, is criminals having guns and the seriously mentally ill obtaining access to guns.  If tonight’s legislation focused solely on these issues, I would have voted yes.  However, along with strengthening Kendra’s Law, enacting Mark’s Law, providing funding to further secure our schools, and cracking down on illegal guns – all of which are good ideas I strongly support – the bill contained restrictive new gun control that could weaken the Second Amendment.  That is something I will not support.

The vote tonight is only the beginning of an important debate.  I believe we need to repeal and replace parts of tonight’s legislation and keep the sections pertaining to increased penalties on criminals, use of illegal guns, securing our schools and addressing the seriously mentally ill.  However, I cannot do it alone: I need Second Amendment supporters to stand strong and stand with me.  I will be launching an on-line legislative petition on my Senate page to build public support for repealing and replacing the restrictive provisions passed tonight. 

If every New Yorker who supports the Second Amendment makes their voices heard we can forge a true public safety remedy without curtailing the Second Amendment.  This is no time to sit on the sidelines: every gun owner, hunter, sportsman and supporter of the Second Amendment must get involved.  If you’ve been e-mailing, writing and calling, then keep doing so.  If you are not registered to vote, get registered.  Now is the time to be heard.”

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Here is an e-mail response from a spokesperson for Assemblyman Tony Jordan, R-Jackson, about his vote on the bill before he voted. 

Tony is voting "no" on this bill. The last time I spoke with Assemblyman Jordan, he said there were significant problems with the scope of the legislation and the method of rushing the vote on this bill with the Message of Necessity, in the darkness of night, without proper public vetting.

We have already discovered significant errors, which will require the Governor to submit Chapter Amendments to resolve the carelessly written law, such as making it illegal for law enforcement to enter school grounds with a firearm.

Here is one from the good people at the NRA:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 15, 2013

FOR MORE INFORMATION (703) 267-3820

Statement from the National Rifle Association of America Regarding the Passage of S. 2230 in New York Fairfax, Va. – The National Rifle Association and our New York members are outraged at the draconian gun control bill that was rushed through the process late Monday evening. Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature orchestrated a secretive end-run around the legislative and democratic process and passed sweeping anti-gun measures with no committee hearings and no public input. Hammered out in a backroom in Albany, S. 2230 was quickly drafted and released 20 minutes prior to the Senate vote. It passed as the clock ticked toward midnight. This legislation lowers New York's arbitrary magazine capacity limit from ten rounds to seven. It also greatly expands the state's existing ban on commonly owned semi-automatic firearms, and will require New York gun owners to undergo background checks on ammunition purchases. These gun control schemes have failed in the past and will have no impact on public safety and crime. Sadly, the New York Legislature gave no consideration to that reality.  While lawmakers could have taken a step toward strengthening mental health reporting and focusing on criminals, they opted for trampling the rights of law-abiding gun owners in New York, and they did it under a veil of secrecy in the dark of night. The legislature caved to the political demands of a Governor and helped fuel his personal political aspirations. New York lawmakers have ignored and excluded gun owners throughout this legislative process, but the NRA and our New York members remain committed to having a meaningful conversation about protecting our children and will speak frankly about the lawmakers who have failed to do so. -NRA- Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America's oldest civil rights and sportsmen's group. Four million members strong, NRA continues to uphold the Second Amendment and advocates enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation's leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the armed services. Be sure to follow the NRA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NationalRifleAssociation and on Twitter @NRA.

And, for the other side of the issue, The BRADY CAMPAIGN TO PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Contact: media@bradynetwork.org

Brady Campaign Statement on Passage of Gun Legislation in New York

Washington, DC – The President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence today called the passage of major gun-related legislation in New York, “an historic moment that will save lives.” 

“Governor Cuomo and the lawmakers in Albany have today shown tremendous leadership on the critical issue of gun violence.  By making this a priority, the Governor has not only saved lives, but will hopefully inspire leaders in Washington also to take swift action,” said Dan Gross, President of the Brady Campaign. “The comprehensive package passed today in New York represents the kind of solutions that need to be implemented on the federal level.  Many of these solutions, including universal background checks, have tremendous support from Americans across the country and across the political spectrum, including among gun owners and NRA members.  The policies will have an immediate and widespread impact on gun violence, and when coupled with public health and safety education programs, will finally begin to address in a real way the epidemic of gun deaths in America. We thank Governor Cuomo for his bold leadership to prevent gun violence and for creating a model for the nation.”

The Brady Campaign has been working with the Vice President’s Task Force on Guns and has submitted a set of comprehensive recommendations.

A poll released yesterday by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press shows that the American people are overwhelmingly supportive of major changes to our gun laws. The poll showed that about 85% of those surveyed supported background checks for private gun sales and sales at gun shows.  The poll also showed that four out of five Americans favor laws that would prevent the mentally ill from buying weapons. 

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