Back and forth on microstamping
Microstamping has been on the Assembly debate calendar since last week and they still have not been able to bring it up. Brian Kolb just tweeted that it appears to be off the table until next week which is the last week the state legislature has scheduled sessions.
I sent out another press release yesterday trashing the sponsor, “Schimel Continues to Shovel the Manure.” New Yorkers Against Gun Violence responded today with some more stuff they just made up, “New Study Proves Microstamping Technology Works And Is A Necessary Tool For Law Enforcement To Solve Gun Crimes.“
Possession exempt for schools
S-7436, relates to the possession and use of pistols and revolvers by students of a higher education institution participating in a course in gun safety, passed the Senate this afternoon. Assembly companion A-10204 passed last month. The bill now goes to the Governor for signing which should not be an issue. It’s a minor win for our side.
More contempt for Holder
Congresswoman Ann Marie Buerkle announced her intention to vote in favor of holding Eric Holder in contempt of Congress:
“… I have asked the Attorney General before and I ask him again, how bad does a situation have to be, how many people have to be killed before he believes he should be held accountable? If 5 border patrol agents had been killed would Mr. Holder take responsibility? 10? 20? How many? …”
House Oversight Committee Chair Darrel Issa says he expects 31 Democrats to go along with the contempt charge.
Caitlin Halligan renominated to federal court
Obama has renominated former NYS Solicitor General Caitlin Halligan to the federal district court in Washington D.C..
NRA opposed her the first time around on the basis she tried to undermine the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act. Senate Republicans fillibustered the nomination last December and she was not confirmed. Given that the President is even more unpopular now than he was back then I do not see her nomination moving forward.
Contempt for Holder
CBS reports that the House Oversight Committee will hold a vote next week on holding Eric Holder in contempt over his refusal to answer questions pertaining to the “Fast & Furious” gunwalking program.
From an election standpoint, I don’t see Holder being charged with contempt as having much of an effect on Obama’s re-election chances simply because the economy is such an overriding factor right now. I suspect that is why Obama has not given Holder the boot because I cannot otherwise see having him around this long after the scandal become public has been a plus for this administration unless there’s something really good going on behind the scenes that nobody knows about.
Legislative Report #22
Koon running again
Former Assemblyman David Koon, who was defeated in the ’10 elections, announced he’s running again this fall:
“… Koon entered politics after his teenage daughter, Jennifer, was abducted in 1993 from a suburban Rochester parking lot and murdered. The horrific incident led Koon to be a national advocate for improved 911 service, particularly for cell phones …”
That’s not what he was best known for. He was a flaming antigunner and sponsor/co-sponsor of just about every antigun bill introduced in the Assembly and would happily advocate for them on the floor whenever one came up for a vote. He stops just short of being as detestable as Michelle Schimel (her voice gives her the edge.)
No debate
Assembly debate over the microstamping bill did not happen today. The bill has been on 3rd Reading since January so the only reason I can see for wanting public discussion is waning support for the bill in the lower house.
To be helpful, I sent out a statewide press release, “Schimel’s Gun Control Proposal Lacks Public Support.“
Microstamping debate today
Microstamping bill A-1157B is on the Assembly Debate List for today. The session is scheduled to start at 1:30pm with a live feed available here.
I cannot recall any other gun control bill being put on the debate list in the Assembly in the past 20 years. This is another sign the antis are having problems bringing it to the floor for a vote. Michelle Schimel must be getting desperate.