The Legislative Gazette reports:
“… Senator Daniel Squadron, D-Brooklyn, introduced an amendment that would categorize hate crimes as serious offenses in relation to the Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act, or SAFE Act … Specifically, the bill (S.5569) would amend section 265.00 of the state Penal Law by adding hate crimes to the list of “serious offenses” that can prohibit someone from possessing firearms … Squadron says New York has a duty to take actions that reject acts of bigotry, hatred, misogyny, homo-phobia, racism, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, xenophobia and discrimination in any form because they violate the nation’s core values. Allowing those who commit and are convicted of hate crimes to possess guns only gives them a fatal tool to spread their hate.” …”
I’m confidant that Squadron never bothered to actually research the origins of New York’s gun laws, particularly the Sullivan Act, which was specifically designed to discriminate against Italian immigrants. A call to the Legislative Library, 518-455-4000, would get him a copy of the bill and supporting documents, while a quick internet search would bring up even more.
Jacob, I believe, after a life of studying that culture (my family), my hypothesis of the core driving psychology is what it all comes down to. Here it is: We can only be safe if we control an iron fisted tyranny that enforces hyper tolerance of the most detestable of people on earth. All else can and must be sacrificed for this.
That, or Squadron is just an idiot.
That may be. LOL