The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance sent out an alert regarding A-1479 which was picked up by outdoor writers including Ken Moran at the Post:
“… A bill in New York would redefine “assault weapon” to include many firearms that are commonly used for hunting. Assembly Bill 1479, introduced by Asm. Linda Rosenthal (D-New York), changes the state’s definition of “assault weapon.” The new definition would classify firearms commonly used for hunting, like semi-automatic shotguns that have a thumbhole stock or a pistol grip, as assault weapons … Even more dangerous to sportsmen and gun owners, the bill gives the Superintendent of State Police the authority to regulate and classify additional firearms as “assault weapons” by simply finding that a firearm feature or modification is “particularly suitable for military and not sporting purposes.” …”
A-1479 basically expands the definition of so-called “assault weapons” to just about any semi-auto rifle/pistol which can accept detachable magazines plus many shotguns. It was originally introduced by John Lavelle back around 2004. Linda Rosenthal is just the latest sponsor. Lavelle dropped dead a few years ago and it was picked up by his replacement Matthew Titone who simply reintroduced whatever bills Lavelle had been carrying. Titone was made a fool of on the Assembly floor when the bill came up for discussion because he clearly didn’t read it and didn’t seem to know enough about firearms to understand what it really did. Rosenthal on the other hand doesn’t care. It is part of the antigun bill package the Assembly takes up every year except for last year when they just tried pushing microstamping.
It’s nice USSA did an e-mail blast, but since they don’t actually do anything in New York, their alert could have been better written. It gives the impression the bill is new, which it isn’t, and does not even mention semi-autos which are the main target of this legislation.
Heller and McDonald where are you?