CD-26 down to the wire

Latest polling shows Jane Corwin and Kathy Hochul are in a statistical dead heat going into Tuesday’s special election.  Corwin is clearly in trouble as earlier polls showed her leading.

NRA has done members mailings on behalf of Corwin and attacking Jack Davis, who also happens to be a NRA life member.  Yesterday’s Buffalo News has position statements from the three main candidates on a variety of issues including guns.

If Corwin blows this it will be entirely her own fault.  Republicans have not run a strong campaign and let the opposition define her campaign and the issues.

Pistol license application backlog

As a follow up to my early post that pistol license applications are backlogged up due to state budget cuts, some local officials have gotten involved including the Orange Co. Sheriff and Niagara Co. Clerk.

Valentine not running for re-election

Newburgh Mayor Nick Valentine announced he is not running for re-election.  He is a member of MAIG.  He barely squeaked by last time around with a pularity of the votes in a 3-way race with Democrat and Conservative opposition candidates so it is understandable that he’s bowing out now.

CD-26 election update

The 3-way race in CD-26 is heating up with Assemblywoman Jane Corwin holding a slight lead over Erie Co. Clerk Kathy Hochul and businessman Jack Davis.  With the election next week, NRCC, DCCC and outside groups are now getting involved.

Despite NRA’s endorsement of Corwin, guns have not been a campaign issue.  Now with the GOP looking worried, Cowin’s campaign tried to raise the issue.  From today’s Buffalo News:

“… The Corwin campaign claims Davis also told WBEN in 2005 that he supports gun control when asked about an assault weapons ban.   But this year, in an earlier interview Davis granted to The News, he pointed to his life membership in the National Rifle Association and proudly displayed a gun collection that includes an Uzi, an M-16 and a Thompson submachine gun.  “Trust us with everything. We have that right as Americans,” he said.  “I say: don’t mess with my stuff.  It shall not be infringed.” …”

FAIL.

Legislative update

Legislative Report #9 and NYC Legislative Report #6 are now online.

Next weeks legislative agenda:

Assembly Codes, Tuesday 5/17

  • A-1014, Amends the definition of a “disguised gun” to include a  weapon or device capable of being concealed on a person from which a shot can be discharged through the energy of an explosive which is designed and intended to appear to be a toy gun.
  • A-1131, Repeals section 396-ff of the general business law relating  to the pistol and revolver ballistic identification databank.
  • A-2730, Clarifies that licenses for handguns may be issued to  non-resident individuals.
  • A-6406A, Provides for the mandatory revocation or suspension of the  firearms license of, and eligibility therefor of an individual  against whom an order or temporary order of protection has been issued, under certain circumstances.

Assembly EnCon, Tuesday 5/17

  • A-7380, Authorizes permanent hunting in the county of Schuyler.
  • A-7381, Authorizes permanent hunting in the counties of Chemung,  Steuben, and Yates.
  • A-7637, Relates to hunting in the county of Madison.

Senate Consumer Protection, Tuesday 5/17

  • S-459, Repeals section 396-ff of the general business law relating to  the pistol and revolver ballistic identification databank.

Senate EnCon, Tuesday 5/17

  • S-5105, Authorizes permanent hunting in the county of Schuyler.
  • S-5106, Authorizes permanent hunting in the counties of Chemung,  Steuben, and Yates.

Microstamping amended

Microstamping bill A-1157A has been amended.  What changed was one word so that now the proposed law would go into effect on 1/1/13 or whenever the state police receive notification from one or more shops that they can produce microstamps for $12 or less whichever occurs later.  It used to say it would go into effect 1/1/13 no mater what.

Success?

New Yorkers Against Gun Violence has updated their webpage with pictures from their lobby a day few weeks ago.  They declare it was an “overwhelming success.”

By what standards?  They had to bus students in because they have no grassroots who would show up of their own accord.  They couldn’t fill the base of “The Well” and you can clearly see empty seats so they must have padded the estimate they thought would show up.  Most telling is the video of Shelly speaking.  He is not enthused and does not at all look happy to be there.

Schimel’s speech

Here is Michelle Schimel speaking to people from New Yorkers Against Gun Violence in “The Well” of the Legislative Office Building back on April 12.  As you can see in this picture, it wasn’t a packed house.

Health records check

An issue has arisen that may affect how quickly pistol license applications are processed.  It seems that there is/was one person responsible for processing records within the NYS Department of Health that the police use when conducting background checks of applicants and that one person has left or will soon leave and due to budget issues is not going to be replaced.

CoBIS FAIL

WRGB did a story last night on our press release celebrating the 10th anniversary of CoBIS.