Gun Politics New York

Some rumormongering about Mayor Mike making a presidential endorsement:

“… Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg of New York has remained coy about whether he plans to endorse a presidential candidate this year …  during casual conversations at charity event a few days ago, Mr. Bloomberg was far chattier — and candid — about the subject, according to three people who overheard him … he could not support Mr. Romney because he disagreed with him on so many social issues, these two people said.  The mayor mentioned two such issues: abortion rights and gun control …”

This non-endorsement can only help Romney who gunnies already have reservations about.

Next Tuesday is primary day for federal races and gun issues have popped up in a couple of races.

In the Senate primary between Wendy Long, George Maragos and Bob Turner we have this nugget from Capitol Confidential:

“…  Turner said he would oppose laws forcing states to recognize concealed weapons permits issued elsewhere — which New York officials say would render its gun control measures meaningless …”

By “officials” he means Mayor Bloomberg, who met with him immediately after being elected and lobbied him to vote against H.R. 822.  This, of course, has not stopped Turner’s campaign from having the gall to ask about getting an endorsement from us.

In the CD-27 race, 2 of the 3 candidates support gun rights: incumbent Kathy Hochul and GOP challenger David Bellavia:

“…  [Kathy Hochul] has been preparing for a fight over guns, dating back to her days as the Erie County clerk, when she streamlined the pistol permit process … And she’s taken full advantage of the Democratic Party’s abandonment of gun control as a party issue, voting in favor of a bill that would force all states to honor permits from other states, and a bill requiring federal land be open to hunting and shooting.  “Congresswoman Hochul has always been a staunch advocate of Second Amendment rights, starting in her days as County Clerk and throughout her time in the House,” said her campaign manager, Frank Thomas, in a statement. “Rep Hochul has demonstrated that she will continue to cross party lines to ensure those rights are protected.” …”

“… Bloomberg has loomed over the Republican primary, as Bellavia has accused his favored opponent, former Erie county executive Chris Collins, of being insufficiently supportive of the Second Amendment, citing Collins’ brief membership in a Bloomberg-led effort to curb the spread of illegal guns, and suggesting in campaign materials that Collins is sympathetic to the mayor’s agenda.  Collins, who was listed as a founding member of County Executives Against Illegal Guns in 2008, has subsequently said said that he made a mistake in signing on with Bloomberg’s effort, and that he got “snookered.” … “From our perception out here, [Bloomberg] is not a guy who needs to tell you a story,” Bellavia said. “He’ll look you in the eye and tell you how he feels. So I don’t see how you could say you were snookered by him.”  …”

Good points by both candidates.