Wolford V. Lopez would impact parts of Gov. Hochul’s signature law.
Albany proposed Local Law J of 2025
Albany County Executive Dan McCoy announced an executive order Tuesday morning raising the purchase age for flare guns to 21.
The County Legislature then introduced proposed Local Law J of 2025:
After a year with over a dozen incidents involving flare guns in the City of Albany alone, many involving minors, the Albany County Legislature acted Tuesday.
Local Law J, introduced during the body’s regular monthly meeting, codifies that flare guns will be treated akin to traditional firearms in Albany County and must be primarily purchased, possessed, and used by those over 21 years old.
The law is currently sponsored by the Legislature’s Chairwoman, Joanne Cunningham, and was referred to the Law and Public Safety Committees for review during November meetings.
According to City of Albany Police statistics, 13 flare gun incidents occurred from July 1, 2024, to July 7, 2025, with at least half involving a minor. Some involved flare guns modified to fire traditional ammunition, but even when unmodified, incidents can still be chaotic and violent. The most prominent one from the past year was part of an incident during the Fourth of July weekend, where a minor discharged a flare gun that sparked a fire and eventually burned down a building at 333 Madison Ave.
The new law does not prohibit the purchase or use of flare guns on boats, for official military or government purposes, or for individuals under 21 participating in recognized and supervised training programs.
Anyone violating the new law could be charged with a misdemeanor punishable by a $500 fine for the first violation, and up to $1,000 for each subsequent violation.
The new law joins similar, but pending, New York State legislation introduced this summer by State Senator Patricia Fahy and Assemblymembers John T. McDonald III, and Gabriella Romero. It is also accompanied by a related executive order signed by Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy this morning.
Albany County Legislature Chairwoman Joanne Cunningham said: “Flare guns aren’t toys. As we have seen over the past year, these weapons can lead to tragedy and suffering, whether they are modified or not. This law is about respecting and accepting the responsibility that purchasing, owning, and using a flare gun brings with it.”
Albany County Legislature Deputy Chairwoman Wanda Willingham said: “Flare guns, just as any firearm, are dangerous. Plain and simple. This local law demonstrates how serious the responsibility of owning and using a flare gun and, therefore, any firearm really is.”
These people are idiots.
Legislative update
The following gun-related bills have been signed by the Governor:
- A-544B/S-1985A, Requires police officers to take temporary custody of firearms when responding to reports of family violence.
- A-6556/S-5514, Includes consideration of evidence of recent acts of aggravated cruelty to animals as a factor to be considered when determining whether grounds for a temporary Extreme Risk Protection Order exist.
Newsbits
Thursday’s Newsbits:
Jurisprudence:
- Supreme Court Grants Cert in Wolford v. Lopez
- Supreme Court takes up major gun rights case
- Supreme Court to consider Hawaii law restricting places where people can carry handguns
- Supreme Court takes case that could allow more guns in malls and restaurants
- Rug Pulled Out from under Antonyuk
- New York gun owners misfire in bid to scrap background checks for ammo
Politics:
Armed Citizen in Rochester
A man is being treated after police say he was stabbed on Lyell Avenue Monday morning.
Officers say it happened around 7:15 a.m. in the area near Rutter Street. When officers got to the scene, they found a 44-year-old man at a gas station with a stab wound on his upper body. He was rushed to a nearby hospital in an ambulance where he’s being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Police learned a man in a nearby business intervened during the stabbing, and say the man pointed his legally-registered gun at the suspect.
Police arrested the suspect, a 48-year-old Rochester woman. She faces an assault charge. Officers say the suspect and the victim knew each other.
A-544B/S-1985A to Governor
Oberacker campaign kickoff
I attended State Senator Peter Oberacker’s campaign kickoff for CD-19 yesterday.
It started off with an endorsement from Assemblyman Chris Tague.
Oberacker told me he was asked to run by the White House so I do not believe there will be a Republican primary.
SCOTUS accepts Wolford v. Lopez
The Supreme Court has accepted the case of Wolford v. Lopez, asking whether Hawaii may presumptively prohibit the carry of handguns by licensed concealed carry permit holders on private property open to the public unless the property owner affirmatively gives express permission to the handgun carrier.
This is essentially the same as part of Hochul’s gun control law. Should the plaintiffs win this case, the New York would not automatically go away. It would have to be re-litigated citing Wolford.
Everytown lobbying update
The state legislature is not in session, but Everytown’s contract lobbying firm reports lobbying the Governor on “Issues related to 3D printed guns.”
Everytown to offer firearms training
Each time I think the antis cannot get any more ridiculous, they go ahead an prove me wrong.
From USA Today,”Everytown wants stricter laws on guns. Now, they’ll also teach you to use one“:
“Some activists devoted to ending gun violence had to look twice at the source of the ads for firearms training that flashed on their computer screens. Everytown for Gun Safety, which has made its name advocating for stricter gun laws and preventing violence, is now offering courses for gun owners. Organizers say the on-demand or Zoom-style sessions are aimed at responsibility and safety without any undertones of salesmanship …”
This sounds sus.
“… The new program, Train SMART, also risks angering a network of grassroots chapters and gun violence prevention volunteers at Everytown. Some recoiled at the launch and others quit their positions …”
HA!
“… “It looks more like what a grandfather teaches a grandson than what you get in the back room of a gun shop,” said Chris Marvin, Everytown’s veterans adviser who helped create the program that costs $20 to $100 and has sessions lasting 90-minutes, 150-minutes and up to eight hours …”
Aha! They’re going for the money.
“… Marvin, a former Black Hawk helicopter pilot in the U.S. Army, said he and other military veterans designed the course to mimic military instruction from trusted sources …”
What exactly does being a helicopter pilot have to do with firearms training?
“… any gun training class will have to land on some key answers to thorny questions that will crop up from trainees. Should I even buy a gun? Should I store my gun loaded near my bed? Will I be safer in my home with a firearm? Marvin, the veterans trainer, said those answers are nuanced, but the Everytown training will focus on clear statistics: Yes, purchasing a firearm will increase the risk someone in your home could be shot; no, you should not keep a loaded pistol unlocked on your nightstand; no, you should not always assume buying a gun will be the key part of your home defense plan, Marvin said. Marvin said instructors will describe a balance on storage that leans toward safes that could still be opened quickly – or for changing your storage options when someone in the home is struggling with mental health …”
It appears they are actually hoping people will pay them to be told gun control propaganda under the guise of learning firearms safety. There’s no way this will go well for them. Given it’s causing some of their supporters to quit, it does look good for the 2A team though.