Democrat disarray

The Oneida Dispatch reports on the annual Democrat Party meeting, “New York Democrats deal with dysfunction amid sex abuse scandal“:

“The disarray gripping the NYS Democratic Party was on display at its annual meeting Wednesday, opening with a hole in the program where Gov. Andrew Cuomo usually speaks and closing with a resolution denouncing Vito Lopez … Second-string speakers to the assembled party leaders included … Leah Gunn Barrett of New Yorkers Against Gun Violence.  Barrett praised Cuomo’s controversial SAFE gun control law after announcing from the podium that she had been asked on short notice if she could come up to Albany to deliver the speech that closed the annual meeting, the spot usually reserved for the governor.”

Who invited her?

Seriously, who thinks having someone who is going to highlight the proposal that singlehandedly caused the Governor to plunge 20+ points in approval polls was a good idea?

And when did SAFE become controversial?  According to the mainstream media it has overwhelming public support.

Cuomo threatening police

Following up my previous post, the Times Union reports, “Sheriffs: Cuomo asked for silence“:

“The sheriffs thought they were being summoned to the Capitol to discuss ideas for changes to New York’s gun control law, the SAFE Act.  Instead, Gov. Andrew Cuomo told them to keep quiet … In January, the New York State Sheriffs’ Association wrote Cuomo with an analysis, and later suggested tweaks.  Cuomo invited its leaders to the Capitol last month … The group included Sheriffs’ Association Executive Director Peter Kehoe and Chemung County Sheriff Christopher Moss … Instead, Cuomo pushed the sheriffs to stop publicly speaking out against the act, Moss said.  “The governor was of the opinion that the sheriffs around the state should not be interjecting their personal opinions in reference to the law,” Moss said, adding that Cuomo said sheriffs can’t do that and enforce the law.  One person briefed on the meeting said Cuomo threatened to remove sheriffs from office, a little-used power afforded the state’s chief executive under the state constitution … “

It is my understanding he’s trying a similar tactic with the state police, either they keep quiet or he will not come to the table for their union contract negotiations.

Marchione amicus

I was just at a fundraiser for Senator Kathy Marchione.  She announced that she will be filing an amicus brief in support of the NYSRPA lawsuit against SAFE.  Do not know if it will be just her or if it will be a group effort with other elected officials.

Sheriff Howard speaks out

CA microstamping goes into effect

Bad news from California. Microstamping goes into effect for all new handguns sold in the state.

This is going to embolden it’s proponents here.

Sheriffs really oppose SAFE

The Buffalo News reports on the NYSSA support for the NYSRPA lawsuit, “Sheriff Howard on SAFE Act: ‘I won’t enforce it’“:

“It’s no secret Sheriff Timothy B. Howard is opposed to New York’s new gun-control law. But Howard, who is running for re-election this year, is now ratcheting up his opposition by filing a friend of the court brief in the lawsuit seeking to overturn the SAFE Act and, even more important perhaps, by suggesting the law not be enforced. “I’m more than reluctant,” he said of the new law Thursday. “I won’t enforce it.” …”

I have never heard an elected official from New York say that about a gun law.

“… Howard is not the only sheriff to oppose the law – his brief was filed by the New York State Sheriff’s Association – but his stance on enforcement does put him at odds with some of his like-minded peers.  “I don’t get to pick and choose what laws I enforce,” said Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith, a former president of the association. “That’s exactly why we filed the amicus brief.  We need to change this law.” Smith, like Howard, does view the SAFE Act as a step backward and a blow to law-abiding citizens, especially gun owners.  The law, he said, may prove successful in limiting the type of weapons the general public can buy, but it will have little or no impact on what drug dealers, gang members and other criminals can get their hands on.  “I actually call it the not-so-safe act,” Smith said. “Ultimately, why would we put our citizens at a disadvantage to the criminals.” …”

The Albany Police Union’s letter to the Governor answers that question: “You know that this shameful SAFE Act was about ideology and politics and not making anyone safer.”

“… Assemblyman Sean Ryan, D-Buffalo, almost couldn’t believe his ears when told of Howard’s public stance.  “He said that?” Ryan asked incredulously. “There are all sorts of principled ways of going about this.  Law enforcement officials aren’t allowed to pick and choose.” …”

It is a well established leftist tactic to refuse to enforce laws they don’t like.  Ryan, who voted for SAFE, is just upset because the NYSSA’s stance makes both him and Governor Cuomo look bad.  Speaking of which, I have been informed that the Governor has signaled to Democrat Chemung Co. Sheriff Christopher Moss that he will try to remove him from office if he does not enforce SAFE.  Moss has also been critical of SAFE.

NY Sheriffs oppose SAFE

The New York Sheriffs Association has filed a amicus brief supporting the NYSRPA lawsuit against the SAFE Act.  Their legal counsel is C.D. Michel, a well known gun lawyer from California who has worked with CRPA and often appears on NRANews. He is author of the book, California Gun Laws – A guide to state and federal firearm regulations.”

Governor Cuomo has to be very angry over this.

SAFE lawsuit update

Here is the latest update on NYSRPA’s lawsuit against the SAFE Act:

  • We have filed both a Complaint and an Amended Complaint in the USDC for the Western District of New York.  Our Amended Complaint claims that the SAFE Act is unconstitutional in that it violates the Second Amendment, the Equal Protection Clause, and is unconstitutionally vague.
  • Subsequent to the filing of our Amended Complaint, we filed a Motion for Preliminary Injunction asking the Court to Order all defendants to cease the enforcement and prosecution of the SAFE Act.  The Court has not yet decided our request.
  • After a hearing to establish a briefing schedule, Judge William Skretny issued a Scheduling Order.  Under the Order, the following deadlines were set: the time for all defendants to file an Answer to the Amended Complaint was stayed until June 7.
  • All defendants have until June 7 to respond to our motion for preliminary injunction or cross-move for dispositive relief.
  • The plaintiffs have until July 8 to oppose any cross-motion by the defense and/or reply to any opposition to the motion for PI; and the defendants’ time to reply to any opposition filed by the plaintiffs was not decided, but will be addressed by the Court at a later date.
  • The Court set August 23 as the next date for the parties to return to court, characterizing this date as a “status conference/hearing date, with emphasis for now on status conference.”
  • To date NYSRPA has spent $164,000 on the suit and have received an additional $80,000 from the NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund.

Pro-gun does not equal anti-casino

Some of the dumbest political analysis from Bob Lonsberry, “Pro-Gun Equals Anti-Casino“:

“Sorry, Andy, but it’s a no-go on the casinos.  Upstate is not going to back you.  It’s called payback, and it’s about to bite you on the arse …What am I talking about?  About the convergence of two issues – the gun-banning New York SAFE Act and the governor’s plan to legalize casino gambling in New York … Somehow, as Andy sees it, three upstate casinos will turn around the economy of everything north of Westchester … The problem is, New York City isn’t behind him.  To get the thing passed, he needs upstate … Which gets us back to his gun law … Pro-gun people across upstate must oppose the legalization of casino gambling … It’s about using this leverage to force a deal … It creates our best opportunity for using political pressure to get the NY Safe Act repealed …”

Nobody with any creditability seriously believes the Governor and legislature are going to do a 180 on SAFE.  That simply is not going to happen.  The issue of legalizing casinos is not a big deal either with politicians or the public.  Lonsberry himself even acknowledges this.  Why then assume the issue can be used for any sort of leverage?

Another Cuomo ad

I have seen a third pro-Cuomo ad running in the NYC media market.  It starts off touting the SAFE Act then moves into the women’s lib crap he talked about during his State of the State.