Cuomo’s paranoia

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More evidence from Fred Dicker that gunnies are getting under Governor Cuomo’s (thin) skin:

“… Utica area Assemblywoman Claudia Tenney found “the paranoia level surprisingly high’’ during a breakfast visit last month to Cuomo at the Governor’s Mansion.  Tenney, part of a group of Assembly Republicans hosted by the governor as budget negotiations were wrapping up, brought along a cap bearing the logo of the Remington Arms Co., the embattled company in her district that is in danger of closing because of Cuomo’s severely restrictive new gun law.  “She had another assemblyman take her picture wearing the cap at the entrance to the Mansion, because she planned show it to the workers at Remington,’’ said a witness to the events.  But once inside the Mansion, Tenney, a lawyer and mother of a 21-year-old Marine, was surrounded by a number of nervous Cuomo aides including Larry Schwartz, the governor’s secretary, who feared she’d defiantly put on the cap during Cuomo’s remarks.  “Larry put his hand on Claudia’s arm and said, ‘Are you going to wear that during the breakfast because if you are, we’re going to have to ask you to leave’,’’ said the witness …”

Must reiterate what I told the Times more than two months ago:

“… “The more people see about this, the angrier they are getting,” said Jacob J. Rieper, the vice president of legislative and political affairs for the Rifle and Pistol Association … “The bottom line is none of these people thought this through, and it’s starting to stink,” Mr. Rieper said …”

Cuomo was all smiles back in January.  Now he’s looking more and more like a cornered rat.

Schumer on Bloomberg’s ad campaign

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Chuck Schumer won’t answer the question. He knows Bloomberg’s ad blitz isn’t helping.

Second lawsuit filed against NYC

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NYSRPA has filed a second lawsuit against the City of New York, this one challenging the prohibition on pistol licenses holders taking their firearms outside City limits.

This is the second suit against NYC.  The first one filed several years ago challenging the firearms license fees is on appeal in the 2nd Circuit.

Cause and Effect

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Cause: Cuomo Calls for State to Return to Progressive Ideals

“… “We are a community based on progressive principles,” the governor said, in a speech to several hundred lawmakers and guests at an auditorium in the Capitol complex.  “We must remain that progressive capital of the nation.” …”

Effect: Survey: New York, California last in personal freedoms

“New York and California have for generations of Americans been considered destination spots to express personal freedoms — one with a city big enough for anybody with a dream to perhaps become a star, and the other a state synonymous with the so-called laid-back lifestyle.  But such attitudes have drastically changed, according to a new study that finds the two states last in individual freedom.  The “Freedom in the 50 States” study published last week by the libertarian-leaning Mercatus Center ranks New York last and California second to last.  The survey is based on fiscal issues such as job prospects and tax rates, regulatory policies that include property rights and personal freedoms such as gun laws …”

Significant challenge to SAFE

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Today’s Buffalo News has a good piece on the NYSRPA lawsuit against SAFE, “Gun-rights expert call local challenge to SAFE Act ‘significant’.”

Here is a copy of the legal briefs that have been filed.

Either way we win

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A couple more arrogant rich guys who don’t understand gun politics:

“… at least two top Democratic donors are stepping forward and vowing to withhold any and all future financial contributions from any Democrats who don’t support the centerpiece of Obama’s plan: Expanded background checks.  Kenneth Lerer, a New York businessman who is chairman of Buzzfeed.com, and David Bohnett, a technology entrepreneur and philanthopist based in Los Angeles, are both major financial supporters of Democratic candidates, having each given scores of large contributions over the years.  They are both key players in the political fundraising world and wield influence among other donors and fundraisers …”

Politicians love money.  I know because I occasionally get hit up for campaign contributions.  This is understandable as running for high office is expensive and someone has to pay for it all.  Thus Ken and Dave have some degree of political clout.

What neither seems to understand is that all the money in the world cannot get your people re-elected if they have so pissed of the general public that you could not buy them votes if you were standing outside the booth handing out $100 bills.  Thus it boils down to this for Harry Reid:

  1. Don’t bring up gun control and risk losing some big time Democrat donors, or
  2. Bring up gun control and risk a Cuomo-esque plunge in the polls.

Make the call Harry.

Tweaking SAFE

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The legislature has “tweaked” the SAFE Act.

Since nobody makes 7 round magazines, the legislature is going to allow the sale of 10 rounders, but you can only put 7 rounds in them, except when you’re at a range target shooting and then you can load all 10.   The brilliance of this move was a topic of discussion yesterday during budget debates:

“… the tweaks to the SAFE Act prompted some of the sharpest exchanges, beginning with Republican Steve McLaughlin fencing with Joe Lentol, who had defended the gun control law in the chamber when it was passed in January.  McLaughlin scoffed at the idea that the law allows 10 rounds in a magazine at a pistol range but not at home.  “I can practice defending my family with 10 rounds … but I can actually defend my family for real with seven rounds?,” he asked …”

Exactly.

“… Lentol noted that his brother, an NRA member, was able to quickly replace empty magazines in his weapon, and suggested that anyone who worries about a lack of firepower might want to think about getting more guns …”

If his brother is able to quickly switch out magazines, then what would stop a violent criminal from doing the same thing?  He’s basically admitted magazine limits are BS.

And what is with the suggestion about buying more guns?  Instead of buying one gun with a 15 round magazine, you should buy two guns with 7 round magazines?

“… “The lunacy of this thing has unraveled before our eyes,” McLaughlin said of the SAFE Act …”

Yes, and it’s not over yet.

“… Lentol said that scores of bills had been passed by the chamber with the speed allowed by a message of necessity, which waives the three-day aging period for legislation. He added that chapter amendments had been made numerous times during his tenure — and the SAFE Act was no different …”

He’s not kidding.  Idiocy like this goes on all the time in Albany.

New Yorkers for Gun Safety

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Looks like Governor Cuomo is going to try some astroturfing to promote gun control:

“Yesterday, I noted the creation of two new campaign committees, registered with the state Board of Elections: New Yorkers for Gun Safety and New Yorkers for Creating Jobs & Cutting Taxes.  It turns out both will be run by people associated with the New York State Democratic Party and, according to a person with first-hand knowledge of the groups, are part of a plan by Governor Andrew Cuomo to strengthen the party apparatus … “It’s going to be issue-focused, issue-based,” my source said, and the groups will be “something to organize around …” … The groups will only operate locally and, unlike Cuomo, will only support Democrats … Another person directly familiar with the plans said the groups will push issues, not specific policies …”

This is essentially what Mayor Mike has been trying with MAIG and Obama’s people are trying now with Americans for Responsible Solutions.

What antigun politicans simply refuse to accept is that there has been a national discussion on gun control and their side lost the debate.  Being totally unwilling to accept this they keep creating various front groups to promote the agenda.

The problem with astroturf, though, is that they are unable to sustain themselves.  They get some attention early on until their story gets old and the media moves on to something else.  At this point they either try re-organizing and re-branding themselves like the Bradys (National Council to Control Handguns -> Handgun Control, Inc. -> Brady Campaign) or they fade away like the Million Mom March, American Hunters & Shooters Association and Americans for Gun Safety have.  I’m thinking NYGS will go the later route.

Dutchess Co. will not provide records

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Dutchess County Clerk Brad Kendall is refusing to turn over pistol licenses records to the state because the Governor will not provide any sort of  reimbursement to the counties.

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