Posted on 02/01/2011 3:46:18 AM PST by marktwain
Voices opposing gun control and defending Second Amendment rights echoed from inside The Well at the Legislative Office Building last week at the second annual Sportsmen and Outdoor Recreation Legislative Awareness Day.
Chuck Cunningham, director of political affairs for the National Rifle Association, gave the keynote address at the Jan. 25 event and emphasized his stance against what he described as New York's strict gun control laws and the NRA's commitment to the state.
"I want to let you know that the NRA has no intentions, even though there have been occasional rumors," said Cunningham, "that we have not nor will not abandon the Empire State."
Before the event, Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel, D-Great Neck, released a statement saying she hoped that in the wake of the shooting in Tucson, Ariz. that those speaking at the sportsmen's event would "focus on advancing sensible legislation that will keep the public safe by preventing guns from getting into the hands of the mentally ill, criminals and terrorists.
Cunningham, for the most part, stayed away from the subject but did describe some advocates of gun control as "those type of people that are always waiting for a tragedy to exploit." His speech, rather, focused more on repealing New York's gun control laws and opposing new ones, such as last year's Crime Gun Identification Act of 2010, which would have required microstamping for many new handguns.
"If gun control reduced crime, New York City and, where I work, Washington, D.C., would be safe; in fact they are not," said Cunningham. "Gun control laws in New York state and other states like California are very strict and a proven failure."
"I believe there are plenty of gun laws on the books that can accomplish just that," said James Rabbia, plant manager for Remington Arms who also spoke at the event. "We just have to be more diligent."
"Do we have enough?" asked Schimel. "Last year their argument was 'why do you need gun laws? Criminals buy their guns illegally.' This year they cannot say that because Jared Loughner (the man arrested for the shootings in Arizona) purchased his gun legally. So they have to shift their message."
One of the biggest gun control targets was legislation that would require microstamping. Microstamping is a process where a gun's firing pin engraves an alphanumeric code onto the discharged cartridge case. This allows the authorities, during the investigation of a crime, to identify the weapon a bullet was fired from using the marks on the shell and not just ballistic fingerprinting from marks most guns leave on a slug.
The legislation (A.6468-a/S.6005-c) was passed in the Assembly last year but stalled in the Senate.
Cunningham called it a "gun ban by another name."
"Your politicians wasted millions of dollars on ballistic fingerprinting without any success for reducing violent crime or conviction of a single criminal," said Cunningham.
According to New Yorkers Against Gun Violence, the problem with traditional ballistic fingerprinting is that the system only includes identifying information about guns that have already been used in crimes. The organization says the existing system makes it difficult to track gun traffickers.
Schimel, who was the main sponsor of the microstamping bill in the Assembly, insists that the process is not only inexpensive but is widely supported across the state.
"We have bipartisan support in the Assembly, we have 100 law enforcement agencies and elected officials, bipartisan, that support it," said Shimel. "I defer to my law enforcement officers, they want it, and they're the ones in the field."
Rabbia voiced strong opposition to microstamping, saying in his speech that if it were enacted, Remington might not continue to manufacture pistols in New York state.
"We're very concerned," said Rabbia. "The technology hasn't been proven; we're really unclear what the cost is, and we think that it will be cost prohibitive. We also don't think it will truly effectively help law enforcement."
"They say nothing works," said Schimel. "We had a number of live demonstrations around the state, each one at a local law enforcement agency, where you would actual be able to see it fired, then be able to look under the microscope."
She added "Me, I'm no scientist, but I could see it, there were a number of studies done, and I'm going to say it works."
"We don't need anymore snowjobs, we don't need to compromise anymore of our liberties or our future," said Cunningham.
Schimel argues the legislation she wants passed statewide and federally have no bearing on lawful gun ownership. Rather, she said, they are meant to keep people safe from those who should not get their hands on guns such as the mentally ill, criminals and terrorists.
"I do crime gun legislation, I don't do gun bans," said Schimel. "Sportsmen and lawful gun owners should never be afraid of microstamping. The only people that should be afraid are the murderers."
Registration, in effect, is confiscation.
For most practical purposes NY already has that law in the form of “ballistic fingerprinting”. Increases the price of every handgun by $50. Hasn’t done a damn bit of good.
For most practical purposes NY already has that law in the form of “ballistic fingerprinting”. Increases the price of every handgun by $50. Hasn’t done a damn bit of good.
Microstamping does not prevent violence, it can only be used AFTER a crime.
Stupid liberals. All they care about is mopping up the crime scene and disarming everyone remaining.
The whole purpose was to increase the cost hence making it harder to obtain firearms. The regulation has accomplished exactly what it was intended to do.
Of course, the microstamps will need regular inspection by state organs to ensure that they have not been worn out or tampered with.
Just mail your guns to us annually. Fill out the attached nine page form, don’t make any errors. Include a certified check to cover your inspection fee. We’ll allow you to pick up your guns in just a few months. Or not.
Yeah, right.
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