Saturday’s Newsbits:
Elections:
Jurisprudence:
Legislation:
NRA:
Politics:
Lead contamination bill
A new lead contamination bill I’m suspicious of has been introduced, S-8050.
State legislature will not accept SCOTUS ruling
I have been repeatedly warning that the state legislature has no intention of going along with any positive SCOTUS decision in NYSRPA v. Bruen.
From new bill A-8684, An act to amend the penal law, in relation to prohibiting firearms in certain locations:
“… (a) Any form of public transportation, including but not limited to railroads, ride sharing services, paratransit services, subways, buses, air travel, taxis or any other public transportation service; (b) Food and drink establishments; or (c) Large gatherings, which for the purposes of this section shall mean a gathering together of fifteen or more persons for amusement, athletic, civic, dining, educational, entertainment, patriotic, political, recreational, religious, social, or similar purposes …”
No companion bill yet.
Assembly bills Reported
The following bills have been Reported and sent to Rules:
- A-8736, Amends the definition of disguised gun to include any firearms that are designed and intended to appear to be a toy gun. Companion S-7796 on 3rd Reading.
- A-8741, Amends the “Scott J. Beigel Unfinished Receiver Act” relating to unserialized frames or receivers. Companion S-7736 passed Senate.
- A-8786, Criminalizes the sale of ghost guns; requires any person licensed as a gunsmith or a dealer in firearms to register with the Division of Criminal Justice Services any unserialized firearm, rifle or shotgun, finished frame or receiver, or unfinished frame or receiver. Companion S-7705 passed Senate.
Candidates’ cash on hand
Democrat gubernatorial candidates cash on hand:
- Kathy Hochul – $21,337,927.65
- Tom Suozzi – $5,254,456.14
- Jumaane Williams – $189,221.36
- Paul Nichols – $5,106.12
Republican gubernatorial candidates cash on hand:
- Lee Zeldin – $5,622,103.4
- Rob Astorino – $1,300,692.81
- Andrew Guilanai – $188,409.66
- Mike Carpinelli – $663.29
- Derrick Gibson – n/a
Syracuse Mayor is hiring
The City of Syracuse is hiring a Director of the Mayor’s Office to Reduce Gun Violence.
From the job description:
“The Director will focus on synchronizing the city’s anti-gun violence initiatives while working alongside residents, community stakeholders, law enforcement and violence prevention experts to identify factors perpetuating gun violence in Syracuse and implement strategic solutions informed by proven best practices to address them. The Director will be tasked with supporting existing and developing new interventions which produce measurable outcomes.”
I’m going to go out on a limb and say the person ultimately hired (at $65,000/year) is going to be a politically-connected crony of either the Mayor, another elected official, and/or local political parties.
The spirit of Tammany
Eric Adams appears to be keeping the Tammany spirit alive and well in his new administration:
“A member of Eric Adams’ transition team approached the commanding officer of the NYPD gun licensing division in December to ask about obtaining gun permits for civilians who would potentially be assigned to protect City Hall. The head of the NYPD License Division, according to four sources briefed on the conversation, was troubled by the pitch, made by Tim Pearson, a retired NYPD inspector serving on the Adams transition team … Police sources said another reason the request was irksome: The NYPD License Division was previously embroiled in a corruption investigation where two businessmen were arrested and later convicted for trying to bribe Mayor Bill de Blasio and numerous NYPD officials. Questions raised in the case included whether special treatment existed in the awarding of gun permits …”
This on top of Adams’ putting his brother on the payroll. Boss Tweed would be proud.
Of course there’s more:
“… The mayor’s office also confirmed that during that December meeting at One Police Plaza, Tim Pearson inquired about getting a gun permit for himself. He was told he had to apply through his home county of Nassau …”
He’d still need approval by the NYPD to let him carry inside the City with a license issued in Nassau. As Adams tried getting CCWs for his district staff when he was in the State Senate I have no doubt he’d make a phone call on behalf of his buddy Tim.
Next week’s legislative agenda
Assembly Codes agenda for 1/19 @ 1:30pm:
- A-8735, Requires the Division of Criminal Justice Services to publish quarterly reports providing information related to firearms, rifles and shotguns used in the commission of crimes in the state of New York. Companion is S-7760.
- A-8736, Amends the definition of disguised gun to include any firearms that are designed and intended to appear to be a toy gun. Companion is S-7796.
- A-8786, Criminalizes the sale of ghost guns; requires any person licensed as a gunsmith or a dealer in firearms to register with the Division of Criminal Justice Services any unserialized firearm, rifle or shotgun, finished frame or receiver, or unfinished frame or receiver. Companion is S-7705.
Senate Codes agenda for 1/18 @ 12:00pm:
WCFOA endorses Rob Astorino
Westchester County Firearm Owners has endorsed Rob Astorino in the Republican primary for Governor.
Here is a copy of their press release (PDF).
Legislative update
Federal legislation:
- H.R.38 – Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, adds one co-sponsor. 198 total, 194 Rep., 3 Dem.
State legislation:
- S-7705, Criminalizes the sale of ghost guns; requires any person licensed as a gunsmith or a dealer in firearms to register with the Division of Criminal Justice Services any unserialized firearm, rifle or shotgun, finished frame or receiver, or unfinished frame or receiver, passed the Senate. Companion is A-8736.
- S-7716, Relates to the Firearm Violence Research Institute; makes technical changes to the institutes procedures, goals and activities, on 3rd Reading. No companion.
- S-7736, Amends the “Scott J. Beigel Unfinished Receiver Act” relating to unserialized frames or receivers, on 3rd Reading. Companion is A-8741.
- S-51, Includes attachments to electronic devices within the meaning of the term “imitation weapon,” and S-687, Clarifies the definition of imitation weapon, have been Reported.