Murders are up 10% in New York City.
I blame the SAFE Act (again.)
de Balsio’s illegal gun market study
Bill de Blasio has issued a RFP through the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice for a “Illegal Gun Market Study.”
It’s stated purpose:
“MOCJ proposes a multifaceted effort to provide a detailed account of the varied transactions that comprise the supply lines of illegal guns to criminals in New York City. Identifying effective and feasible evidence-based approaches to disrupt these illegal transactions is thus a critical challenge in curbing gun violence. This project seeks to conduct research into the structure and dynamics of illicit firearms transactions in New York City, to ascertain how best to disrupt them. The research is intended to provide guidance in setting priorities in prosecutions, design undercover operations against gun transactions, craft new regulations, and related actions, all with the ultimate purpose of reducing gun violence.”
No mention of how much money is one the table, just a due dated of August 18.
Fudds pander to Cuomo
The DEC has made some improvements to the hunting license purchasing system.
Nothing wrong with that. What is wrong is this statement:
“… “The New York State Conservation Council commends Governor Cuomo and DEC for prioritizing the most recent improvements to the licensing system,” said Council President A. Charles Parker. “Sportsmen, sportswomen and licensing-issuing agents can look forward to swifter, customer-friendly transactions going forward.” …”
That was uncalled for. It is yet another disgraceful effort by these Fudds to blur the image of proven, antigun extremists by making them seem pro-hunting and less of a threat to gun owners.
It is not the first time these guys have done it either. NYSCC endorsed of Eliot Spitzer when he ran for Governor in ’06 and later Assemblyman Pete Grannis when he was nominated to head the DEC in spite of the fact he was prime sponsor of the bill to ban all hunting as cruelty to animals, in addition to having voted for every antigun bill that came up. That statement commending Cuomo can, and likely will, be used in election campaigns by those politicians who supported the SAFE Act.
Yet another reason to use Android
New Yorkers Against Gun Violence has started a campaign to get Apple to drop gun emojis from the iPhone. They have a website and Twitter handle.
We already know your position
Former Broome County Executive Barbara Fiala announced her intention to run for the Senate seat vacated by Tom Libous.
She refused to take a public position on the SAFE Act.
Not a problem as we already know what she thinks about guns.
And now everybody does too.
Friedman/ISRA v. City of Highland Park
Plaintiffs in the case of Arie Friedman and Illinois State Rifle Association verses the City of Highland Park have filed a writ of certiorari to the Supreme Court.
This is the black gun case ahead of the NYSRPA and CCDL lawsuits.
Gibson considering run
It’s no secret that Congressman Chris Gibson is considering running for Governor in ’18. He is not running for re-election to Congress next year.
Gun rights would be part of his campaign:
“Republican Rep. Chris Gibson of New York may run for governor in 2018, citing gun rights as a core issue. When it comes to combating crime, the congressman said Sunday on “The Cats Roundtable” on AM 970 in New York that he believes in “deterrence through the Second Amendment.” …”
Cuomo’s choice
Governor Cuomo announced his choice to for Tom Libous’ seat, former Broome County Executive Barbara Fiala.
She was a member of the MAIG spinoff County Executives Against Illegal Guns when they formed back in ’08.
Elect good judges
Residents are finding out the local St. Lawrence county pistol license law is largely worthless:
“A St. Lawrence County Court judge’s decision to deny requests for lifting restrictions on pistol permits has left county pistol owners in a tizzy. Following a June 1, 14-1 vote by county legislators for a new local law that loosens rules regarding who is eligible to obtain an unrestricted carry-and-conceal pistol license, county pistol owners said they continue to be denied by County Court Judge Jerome J. Richards …”
That is because state law makes judges the local licensing authority, not the county legislature. Unless granted home rule authority by the state legislature (which they weren’t), the county legislature does not have the authority to make up it’s own rules good or bad. Judge Richards knows that and continues to do as he pleases.
I have received a bunch of complaints about him over the years and told those people their only choice is find an opponent and remove him when he’s up for re-election. Instead, Richards ran unopposed last year for another 10 year term.
Karma keeps appointment with the GOP
As I said, Senate Republicans turning a blind eye to corruption would eventually catch up with them.
“Sen. Thomas Libous, the state Senate’s second-ranking Republican and a Southern Tier political institution for more than two decades, was convicted Wednesday of lying to the FBI, a felony that will force his removal from office. A jury found Libous, 62, guilty of lying to federal investigators during a 2010 interview at his state Capitol office about an alleged scheme to use his influence to get his son a job at a politically connected Westchester County law firm …”
And with his removal, Republicans no longer have a majority in the State Senate.