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Posted on 01/29/2004 8:34:01 AM PST by bc2
Please pass this along to friends, family, and interested co-workers-
GOVERNOR PATAKI'S PROPOSED RENEWABLE PISTOL LICENSE AND INCREASED FEES
BILL # S6056/A9556
In his budget proposal, Governor Pataki has proposed a new State licensing scheme for handguns. He is expecting to raise up to $35 Million from the wallets of handgun owners.
I do not normally send out e-mails like this, but this time it's too important not to. Please read the following information and remember that even if you do not own pistols, YOUR LONG GUNS WILL PROBABLY BE AFFECTED IN THE FUTURE. New York City already has permits and licensing for all firearms, including pistols, rifles, and shotguns. We do not want that to become the reality for the entire State of New York.
The proposed NYS Budget legislation, (S6065/A9556), would make several changes to the licensing procedures and laws for pistols in New York State. The legislation:
1. Creates a 5 year renewable license.
2. Would mandate expiration of all existing NYS Pistol Permits on 1 February 2005. If your NYS pistol permit does not have an expiration date, this law would make your permit expire on 1 February 2005.
3. Mandates a $100 renewal fee. The $100 is a STATE fee. The County Clerks will have to raise their fees to compensate for the additional work load which will require more staff in most of the larger counties. This could mean either higher County fees on top of this or higher property tax paid by everybody.
4. $25 amendment fee. If the transaction fee is $25 for the state, the County Clerk will also have to add $5 or $10 more. There is no cap to this addition.
5. Allows a judge to review your license every 5 years and make any changes he might find necessary.
6. Increases Dealer and Gunsmith license renewal fees to $100
7. *** Requires you to list all "firearms" (note: the definition of firearm under penal law includes almost all privately owned guns and also includes any firearm that falls under the definition of an assault weapon) you own at renewal.
8. Does not restrict localities in the amount they can charge for application or renewal of pistol license. (Confiscation of pistols through excessive taxation)
*** THIS is the gun registration that everyone said would never happen in New York State. Pistol Permit holders will be affected immediately by this law, but as we have seen in the past, the law will soon extend to all other guns, all across the State. If this bill is passed, it is only a matter of time before the rest of New York State follows NYC's lead in registration and licensing of ALL rifles and shotguns.
The new renewal issue, its $100 fee, and the $25 amendment fee, are perfect examples of an unfunded mandate, where the state gains the revenue and the county taxpayers pay additional property taxes to perform the renewals and amendments. The basic right of having a pistol will be denied to the working stiff because of the high fees. This is what's known as "confiscation through taxation". The Governor and Legislature might have a fear of enacting outright firearm registration, but who pays attention to something as simple as the budget? Once this type of legislation becomes law, there will be no chance to do anything about it. The precedent will be set for State-wide registration of all firearms.
This budget legislation could be voted on as soon as February. It is very important to both call and write the following NYS Senators and Assemblymen and tell them to VOTE NO on these bills, and to call on them to push for the removal of this language in the budget bill.
In addition, there is also language that describes an increase of the fee required to register ATV's. I believe this would include all 2, 3, and 4 wheeled, non street-legal vehicles (INCLUDING snowmobiles). This is another example of confiscation through taxation, and must also be stopped before it can be enacted.
Please call and write the following list of NYS Senators and Assemblymen tha t I have compiled. A two-minute telephone call and a $0.37 stamp WILL make a difference. Of special consideration is Sen. Johnson, who is the Chairman of the Finance committee where this bill has been referred.
After years of notoriously late budgets, legislators in Albany have said that this will be the year that they "fast track" the budget to get it through in time. Do not let them get a chance to pass and enact this harmful legislation.
Please use the attached document to contact your State Legislators. Add your name and address to the top in the space provided, your name to the bottom, print and sign this letter. I have included a list of names and addresses for various Legislators. Please take 5 minutes to print this out, make an envelope, and drop it in the mailbox. Follow up with a two-minute telephone call. This issue is far too important to ignore.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Albany has said that this is the year they fast-track the budget to get it through on time. Please don't let them pass the budget with this harmful, disgusting legislation.
Give special attention to Owen H. Johnson Chairman of Senate Finance Committee. His info is as follows:
Owen H. Johnson
Chairman of Senate Finance Committee
913 Legislative Office Building
Albany, New York 12247
518-455-3411
--------------------------
January 28th, 2004
Re: NYS Budget
< INSERT NAME AND ADDRESS OF LEGISLATOR HERE >
Dear < INSERT NAME OF LEGISLATOR HERE >,
Please understand that I am unalterably opposed, as you should be, to the Pistol license portion of Governor Pataki's proposed budget legislation (S6056/A9556). Through this licensing scheme he is expecting to raise up to $35 million from the wallets of handgun owners.
The most offensive items in this budget proposal include the creation of a 5 year renewable pistol license, a $100 renewal fee, a $25 amendment fee, requiring license holders to list all “firearms” they own at the time of renewal for their pistol permits. Pistol Permit holders will be affected immediately by this law, but as we have seen in the past, the law will soon extend to all other guns, all across the State. If this bill is passed, it is only a matter of time before the rest of New York State follows NYC's lead in registration and licensing of all rifles and shotguns.
It is important to understand that it is repugnant enough that residents living in the majority of New York State's counties already pay $10.00 or more plus a $99 state fingerprint fee to obtain a license to exercise their constitutionally protected Human Right. Additionally, this legislation does not limit what the localities can charge for renewal. A $100.00 addition makes it even more oppressive, as well as discriminatory, to your constituents -- especially to minorities, elderly, and the poor living on fixed incomes. It would even be accurate to describe it as racist.
This is a perfect example of an unfunded mandate, where the state gains the revenue and the county taxpayers pay additional property taxes to perform the renewals and amendments. This is what's known as "confiscation through taxation". I will work to the best of my ability to keep this legislation from becoming reality for the entire State of New York. It is not only an affront to my birthright as an American, but also an assault on my most basic of all Human and Civil Rights.
It is your duty to reject the proposed budget with the above language included. I am calling on you to fight against this legislation in Albany.
Please reply with an answer informing me what you intend to do regarding this important matter. Thank you in advance for your consideration of this request.
Sincerely,
< SIGN YOUR NAME HERE >
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Whose the Republican running against Democrat Pataki?
this is important... everyone can call or write, even if they don't live in NYS. (who has to know if you don't tell 'em?)
Thank you,
bc2
3. "Firearm" means (a) any pistol or revolver; or (b) a shotgun having one or more barrels less than eighteen inches in length; or (c) a rifle having one or more barrels less than sixteen inches in length; or (d) any weapon made from a shotgun or rifle whether by alteration, modification, or otherwise if such weapon as altered, modified, or otherwise has an overall length of less than twenty-six inches; or (e) an assault weapon. For the purpose of this subdivision the length of the barrel on a shotgun or rifle shall be determined by measuring the distance between the muzzle and the face of the bolt, breech, or breechlock when closed and when the shotgun or rifle is cocked; the overall length of a weapon made from a shotgun or rifle is the distance between the extreme ends of the weapon measured along a line parallel to the center line of the bore. Firearm does not include an antique firearm.
Basically in layman's terms, "firearm" means all handguns, short-barrelled and sawed-off shotguns and rifles. HOWEVER, "firearm" DOES include assault weapons.
either way this is BAD NEWS. If you don't call and write your Senators this could be the same as the Pataki 5 Point Plan that folks said would "never happen".
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