All about guns, legislation and politics in New York
Effective January 3, the cost to recertify Westchester Co. pistol licenses will increase to $175/5 years.
The next scheduled meeting of the County Board of Legislators is Monday, December 9 @ 10:00am. This is not on the agenda, but residents who attend can sign up to briefly address the Board.
Lawyers interested in discussing possible legal action as well as media outlets looking for comment can contact WCFOA at 914-747-5001.
From WCFOA:
SUBJECT: Westchester BOL meeting of September 30, 2024
Dozens of gun owners took the time to attend the September 30, 2024 Westchester County Board of Legislators meeting, regarding the proposed clearly excessive fee increases for pistol licenses and services.
Many valid and constructive suggestions and comments were made by those in attendance. Many more were waiting to comment on the County’s WebEx electronic platform, but unfortunately it was not operating.
In view of the turnout and comments, the Board delayed any vote on the proposal and held it over to the Monday, October 7, 2024 meeting. At that time we hope that the proposal will be re-committed to the Legislation Committee for revision, and that gun owners will have input on any decisions.
Thanks to all who took the time to attend, and also those who tried to attend electronically, to affect the outcome of this proposal. Hopefully we will achieve a more fair and reasonable outcome for Westchester’s gun owners.
We will advise on the progress of the issue.
Here is a video of yesterday’s meeting. Jump to the 43 minute mark.
Public Notices
09/25/2024
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
LOCAL LAW INTRO No. 2024 – 386
Resolution No.145 – 2024
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing will be held by the County Board of Legislators on September 30, 2024 at 7:30 p.m., in its Legislative Chambers, 8th Floor, Michaelian Office Building, 148 Martine Avenue, White Plains, New York on a proposed LOCAL LAW entitled, • A LOCAL LAW to amend the Laws of Westchester County by adding a new Chapter 527 relating to fees charged for a license to carry a pistol or revolver, purchase or take possession of a semiautomatic rifle, and amend or renew such license.”
The County Board will permit in-person access to the meeting and will allow participation in the public hearing both in-person and through WebEx. To register to speak via the Board’s WebEx online teleconferencing system, please visit this link: https://bit.ly/3zq1Pky; Event number: 2431 385 4690; Event password: PublicHearing (no space). Or by calling 1-844-621-3956, access code: 2431 385 4690; Registration to speak in-person shall be available before the meeting starting at 6:15 pm. Speakers will be called in the order of registration, alternating between in-person and Webex registrations. Comments may also be submitted in writing by emailing: BOLPublicHearingComments@westchesterlegislators.com or mailing them to the Clerk of the Board of Legislators, 148 Martine Ave., 8th Floor, White Plains, NY 10601. Written comments must be received by September 30, 2024 at 5:00 pm.
MALIKA VANDERBERG
CLERK OF THE COUNTY
BOARD OF LEGISLATORS
WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NEW YORK
Dated: September 20, 2024
White Plains, New York
10597433
The Rockland Co. legislature recently passed a local law similar to one in Westchester requiring warning labels be posted wherever firearms are sold.
According to the bill’s prime sponsor Beth Davidson:
… “Gun violence eclipsed car accidents as the number one killer of children in the United States,” County Legislator Beth Davidson, representing Clarkstown and Nyack, told 1010 WINS/WCBS 880. “Gun violence isn’t happening somewhere else. It’s happening here in Rockland County.” …
Everytown donated $400 to her election committee on October 30, 2023 so it didn’t take long for them to get a return on their investment.
A proposal to increase the fees charged to pistol licenses holders is being floated in Westchester.
Here is a draft of the bill (PDF).
The next scheduled meeting of the County Board of Legislators is September 16 @ 7:00pm.
City & State has a good story, “Who’s endorsing Jamaal Bowman and George Latimer?”
CD-16 has a heavy Democrat enrollment advantage and the winner of the party primary will likely walk through the general election.
Just because both Bowman and Latimer stink on 2A does not mean there isn’t opportunity to influence the election and make our voices heard.
These are the choices:
I believe the former is the better course of action, but I could get behind the later.
Sitting at home and doing nothing is not an option. If you choose not to decide you still have made a choice.
Westchester County Executive George Latimer announced his intention to primary incumbent Jamaal Bowman for the Democrat nomination for CD-16.
The district is not considered competitive so whomever wins the Democrat primary will likely walk away with the general election.
Both Latimer and Bowman are bad on 2A. Which is worse is debatable.
That being said, 2A supporters should back Latimer in the primary. The district is represented right now by a gun control advocate. That won’t change after the election. However, if Latimer wins the primary he would have to give up his job as County Executive giving us an opportunity to get a better candidate into that office. That is what is on the table for the ’24 election in the district.
There is a Republican gubernatorial primary next Tuesday. Two of the candidates have public records on 2A, two do not. This is how they break down on the issues:
Based upon their record, both Astorino and Zeldin can be labeled as pro-gun. However, Astorino demonstrated a willingness to stand up for gun rights when it was not necessarily politically advantageous for him to do so. That makes him the best choice for 2A activists. Republicans should vote for Astorino in the June 28 primary.
