2A supporters haven’t forgotten
Sep 18, 2017 Elections 2017, Politics, State Legislation
Phil Boyle’s flip-flopping on gun rights (by my count at least 3 times) doomed his bid for Sheriff.
“… [Larry Zacarese] showed the savvy of a veteran political operative last week when he tapped a crucial and highly energized bloc: Gun owners who were angry at his opponent, state Sen. Phil Boyle, for voting for Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s gun-control measure known as the SAFE Act. Zacarese … drubbed Boyle in a GOP primary, in part due to two mailings to 3,000 gun owners throughout Suffolk. Zacarese also did ads on two local radio stations on the East End, where the gun issue is a significant concern and where the sheriff’s department handles gun licensing. As a freshman senator, Boyle voted for the SAFE Act but said shortly thereafter that his vote “was a mistake.” Boyle further angered gun users by saying he might have realized the mistake “if we were given more than two hours to read the bill.” …”
Boyle was lying about gun rights before voting for SAFE. That was just the final straw.
“… Gun owners are a powerful bloc in low-turnout primaries — about 7 percent of Republicans voted Tuesday in the sheriff’s race — because they vote in force. That also gives them clout beyond their numbers in a general election. One gun owner, Dov Neidish of Commack, said in an interview that Boyle had “no backbone” and “staunch supporters of the Second Amendment haven’t forgotten.” Boyle admits the issue was “definitely a factor” with some voters even though he considers himself a Second Amendment advocate and co-sponsored SAFE Act repeal measures, though they have yet to pass. “Some folks will never forgive my original support, which was based solely on the law’s gang provisions,” that increased penalties for gang-related crimes involving guns, Boyle said. …”
His support for SAFE was based upon 1.) the fact he does not support gun rights, and 2.) the sleazy no-compete deal the Senate Republicans have with Cuomo which is the only thing keeping them in power.
My prediction: Long Island Republicans won’t learn a darn thing from this.
Religious exemptions
Sep 3, 2017 Jurisprudence, State Legislation
“… A bill introduced by state Sen. Catharine Young, an upstate Republican, would exempt the Amish, Mennonites and other religious sects from a state regulation requiring that photos be included in applications for weapons permits …”
The bill in question is S-6859. There was an earlier incarnation S-3855 by Sen. Kathy Marchione which had the enacting clause stricken.
The issue first came about during the SAFE Act lawsuit. Affected Amish declined to get involved in the lawsuit for religious reasons.
Neither of these bills have an Assembly companion and are unlikely to go anywhere.
ECDC Chair brings up SAFE
Aug 13, 2017 Elections 2017, Politics, State Legislation
“… The chairman of the Erie County Democratic Committee has questioned why Assemblyman Mickey Kearns’s name appeared on the invitation to a Thursday night fundraiser for the Democratic Assembly Campaign Committee … Democratic members of the Western New York delegation co-hosted the event – including Kearns …”
My guess would be because Kearns is a life-long registered Democrat who ran as a Democrat for Assembly.
“… ECDC Chairman Jeremy Zellner said that raises a conflict, because Kearns is currently running on the Republican ticket for Erie County Clerk, and is also in a primary for the Conservative line. “Whose side is Mickey on?” Zellner asked. “The Assembly Democrats are champions of … the SAFE Act … I hardly think Republicans and Conservatives feel that way. Where does Mickey truly stand on these issues?” …”
Given that Kearns voted against SAFE I think his position on that issue is quite clear.
It is also clear that Zellner does not like him and is trying to use gun control as a way to score cheap political points against Kearns. I do not see it having much of an effect.
Leave and take Brian with you
Aug 13, 2017 Elections 2017, Politics, State Legislation
Daniel Squadron announced he is resigning his State Senate seat.
He is claiming his reason is that he does not have enough time to be in the legislature and “lend my hand to make a difference in states across the country, pushing policies and candidates that will create a fairer and more democratic future.” I think it has a lot more to do with the the mainline Democrats clown caucus being unable to form a governing majority in the Senate. Whatever the reason, it’s good to see him go.
What is not so good is Assemblyman Brian Kavanagh is eyeing the seat:
“… Kavanagh has been an increasingly influential member of the chamber and was among the Democratic lawmakers who negotiated the passage of the SAFE Act, a package of gun control measures. He was also briefly considered a potential candidate to replace Sheldon Silver as speaker of the Assembly …”
SD-26 is heavily Democrat so whomever the party chooses as their nominee is virtually assured of winning when a special election is held. It’s not a done deal for Kavanaugh as Assemblywoman Yuh-Line Niou also interested it. Better to have a younger, less experienced replacement for Squadron than a guy who has spent years in Albany and is moving up the political food chain with a hard antigun agenda.
Rep. Collins introduces H.R.3576
Jul 31, 2017 Federal Legislation, State Legislation
Congressman Chris Collins has introduced a bill to undo much of the SAFE Act:
“… “This legislation would protect the Second Amendment rights of New Yorkers that were unjustly taken away by Andrew Cuomo,” said Collins. “I am a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment and have fought against all efforts to condemn these rights. I stand with the law-abiding citizens of this state that have been outraged by the SAFE Act and voice my commitment to roll back these regulations.” …”
The Governor is not amused:
“… “Chris Collins is turning his back on New Yorkers and putting millions of people at profound risk,” Cuomo said. “By fighting to roll back vital legislation that protects the people of the Empire State, Collins is demonstrating once again that he is beholden to no one but the gun lobby and entrenched special interests.” …”
The bill H.R.3576 would prohibit states and municipalities from regulating rifles and shotguns beyond what is in federal law. It has no co-sponsors at this time. It would affect all states, not just New York. It reminds me a bit of an old bill Assembly bill A-6698 from 2003 that I really liked that would have prohibited any sort of licensing, registration or taxation of firearms in New York. It predictably went nowhere.
Collins and Cuomo hate each other so this is clearly aimed at pissing Andrew off even though I do not believe it will be going anywhere in the House.
12%
Jul 29, 2017 Elections 2017, State Legislation
With an overwhelming Democrat enrollment advantage, the chances of a Republican knocking Bill de Blasio out were going to be slim at best.
Early on, I thought Paul Massey might at least make a respectable showing based upon his ability to raise a lot of money. He did raise a lot and then promptly blew it, causing him to drop out of the race last month.
The GOP establishment got behind Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis, who decided to alienate everybody by supporting both the SAFE Act and stop-and-frisk.
The result of this?
She currently polls just under 12%.
This is true
Jul 26, 2017 Politics, State Legislation
Some excerpts from a letter to the Buffalo News:
“Every time I go by a “Repeal the SAFE Act” sign I still have to chuckle … Now there is even a proposal to repeal the SAFE Act upstate. Some Western New York legislators spend more time talking about repeal on the campaign trail than they do in the Legislature … Even Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan candidly acknowledged that repeal is done. “I think on a very practical level most people don’t believe the SAFE Act is going to be repealed.” …”
The author speaks the truth, especially the part about legislators talking about repeal, but doing nothing about it in the legislature.
The bills A-6140/S-679C were introduced and no action was taken on either of them. Why didn’t Republican legislators attempt to link passage of this proposal with state budget negotiations? If the Senate sponsor’s were serious why didn’t they make a Motion for Committee Consideration? If the Assembly sponsor’s were serious why didn’t they make a Motion to Discharge?
The reality is that even if the Republican’s were serious there’s just not enough of them and they do not have the political clout to move agenda items like this anymore. The New York party is not functioning and in the not too distant future they will become a permanent minority party in the state.
Curran leading Martins in campaign cash
Jul 19, 2017 Elections 2017, Politics, State Legislation
The Island Now reports that Laura Curran leads Jack Martins in fundraising:
“Democrat Laura Curran has a cash advantage of nearly $250,000 over Republican Jack Martins in the Nassau County executive race … Curran raised more than $718,000 from January to July 13, more than twice the roughly $357,000 Martins took in after launching his campaign in April. Curran closed the six-month reporting period with $577,644 on hand to Martins’ $338,953. County Comptroller George Maragos, Curran’s Democratic primary opponent, still has the largest war chest of the three candidates, leaving $1,288,023 in the bank as of last week after spending $235,274. Maragos previously loaned his campaign $1.5 million and is not taking contributions from special-interest donors. He raised only $3,406 from January to last week …”
Maragos twice ran for Senate as a Republican before switching to the Democrats to run for Comptroller. I have doubts as to how much actual support he would have in a Democrat primary. Although he has not made any solid position statements one way or another on 2A rights, gun owners should support him in a primary based upon Curran’s past support for gun control. He’s probably going to lose, but this is the only way to register an opinion.
That leaves Curran v. Martins in the general election and both of them stink.
In spite of that, gun owners should hold their nose and vote for Curran. Her one (and only) positive aspect is that she is not Jack Martins. Giving Martins the finger for voting for the SAFE Act is all that is on the table for Nassau Co. gun owners this fall.
Brindisi v. Tenney
Jun 28, 2017 Elections 2018, Politics, State Legislation
Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi announced his intention to run against Congresswoman Claudia Tenney next year in CD-22.
This is going to be one of the more interesting races in 2018. The district has traditionally been held by moderate to RINO Republicans while Tenney is much more conservative. Brindisi is a moderate Democrat who might fit the district demographics better than Tenney.
“… Brindisi has also shown an independent streak as a Democratic moderate, at times criticizing Gov. Andrew Cuomo. But some of his credentials will likely appeal to conservatives, including his top “A” rating from the National Rifle Association …”
Brindisi has been supportive of gun rights while in the Assembly and deserves the grade.
Tenney, however, has been vocal in her 2A support and for Remington. From a pure gun rights standpoint, she is the stronger candidate.