New York’s latest swath of gun laws draws concerns from local officials

ONEIDA COUNTY- New York’s recently passed swath of gun legislation has drawn up reactions and concerns from local officials.

As reported, the legislation significantly alters training procedures, licensing requirements and the background check process while also limiting where an individual may carry concealed.

It was created by the Governor and the leaders of the Senate and Assembly and was passed with the overwhelming support of the legislative majorities.

While the legislators and law enforcement officials agreed that it is important to take proactive measures to address gun violence and related issues, they said that the legislation rushed through during the recent Extraordinary Session fails to address violence, especially illegally possessed guns, burdens local governments and businesses, creates confusion and infringes upon the rights of law-abiding gun owners.

“We all want to end gun violence and we agree that there is a real need to get illegal guns off the street. However, the legislation passed by the legislative majorities in a nontransparent fashion and signed into law by the governor, which we and the public were given little time to scrutinize, is confusing and crafted without input from important stakeholders such as law enforcement,” Senator Joe Griffo (R-C-I-Rome) said.

"Unfortunately, New York State has once again quickly passed rushed through legislation without consulting any of the experts with expectation that these new laws will make our state safer, when in fact, they will do just the opposite. Pistol permit holders in New York are some the most upstanding, genuine, law abiding citizens and these laws will only affect them and not the criminals,” Oneida County Sheriff Rob Maciol said. 

"These new firearm restrictions are the SAFE Act 2.0. Downstate politicians have egregiously usurped our constitutional right to bear arms and protect ourselves, which was just reinforced by the highest court in the land. The nation's top court was clear, yet the governor and radicals in Albany are sending the message that they don't believe in the U.S. Supreme Court. This law will be swiftly overturned," Assemblyman Robert Smullen said.

"In the blind rush to be 'first' in the nation, we have another gun law that turns law-abiding citizens into criminals. Passed with no consultation with law enforcement or sportsmen, this is just another example of how out of touch Albany is with real New Yorkers," Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente said.

Image courtesy via Oneida County Sheriff Rob Maciol.