Gun Politics New York

Governor Cuomo’s attempt to intimidate county sheriff’s into silence over their opposition to the SAFE Act isn’t working.

In the Republican primary for Saratoga Co. Sheriff:

“A Republican running for Saratoga County sheriff has turned a primary race … into a referendum on the way the department is led, and also on the state’s NY SAFE Act.   Jeff Gildersleeve of Ballston Lake surprised many in the county’s Republican party by challenging Michael Zurlo of Stillwater, the party’s endorsed candidate for sheriff … On the trail, Gildersleeve rips into the state’s recently enacted gun regulations … A former firearms instructor and lifetime member of the National Rifle Association, he’s raised nearly $15,000 — all from July to August — including $9,000 from gun shops in Albany, Troy and Castleton-on-Hudson, according to campaign filings with the state.  He is endorsed by the New York State Rifle & Pistol Association.  Gildersleeve said the SAFE Act has grown into a major issue in the campaign.  “I would not actively enforce it,” he said. …”

In the Democrat primary for Erie Co. Sheriff:

“… [Bert D. Dunn]  offers no apologies for being a “Reagan Democrat” in his youth, and admires him for winning the Cold War.  And Dunn still seems unable to warm up to Cuomo, especially after the governor pushed the strict new gun control law known as the NY SAFE Act.  “Cuomo thought what he was doing would get him out front and boost his presidential hopes,” Dunn said.  “Clearly, this was rushed through.  He created an issue that made it difficult for us in law enforcement.” …”

The fact that it is coming up in primaries shows the issue isn’t going away and the likely damage it has done to Cuomo’s national political aspirations despite (biased) Sienna polling claiming he has regained his popularity.

Unhappiness with the SAFE Act and the role Senate Republicans played in passing it continues to reverberate as the Post Star reports:

“… Rob Arrigo and Elaine Gerber are challenging incumbent state Republican Committee members Todd Kusnierz and Shirley Needham in a rare contested race on Sept. 10 for committee representation of the northeastern Saratoga County municipalities in the 113th Assembly District.  “It’s (state Republican Committee) dysfunctional because nobody is willing to challenge the status quo,” Arrigo said … Arrigo said Saratoga County needs a stronger voice on constitutional issues, such as the SAFE Act, the gun control legislation that was enacted in January.  “Unfortunately the SAFE Act was passed not just with Democrats, but it was passed largely because (state Sen. Majority Leader) Dean Skelos, R-Long Island, allowed a vote on the SAFE Act in the New York State Senate,” he said. “That is unacceptable, and we want to go and hold those elected officials accountable.  And the best place to do that is on the state committee.” …”

Good for them.  More people need to do stuff like this in both parties.

“… Ronald Jackson, regional vice chairman of the state Republican Committee, said it is good to see people interested in serving on the state Committee … But Jackson, who also is the Essex County Republican chairman, said he disagrees with the contention the Republican Committee and Skelos are not conservative enough.  Skelos’ majority hinges on support of independent Democrats who caucus with Republicans, Jackson said.  “So there’s no way he could have stopped it (the SAFE Act), even if he wanted to,” Jackson said …”

Bullshit.  Skelos and establishment Republicans have willingly become Cuomo’s butt monkeys because they are more concerned about preserving their (dwindling) little fiefdoms and being praised by far-left media outlets than in advancing an alternative, freedom-orientated agenda.  All that ass-kissing has gotten them is less Republicans holding public office.  Why in the world is this fool trying to defend a strategy which has been proven to be self-destructive?

Chris Christie apparently learned a lot from Andrew Cuomo’s mistakes.  He vetoed several gun control bills yesterday.