New Yorkers Against Gun Violence’s candidate endorsements are now up on their website.
Murphy mailer
Scott Murphy is doing a mailer touting his endorsement by the NRA. Nothing unusual about that, although the mailer does specifically mention “handguns for self-defense.” I don’t recall seeing that in New York before. Candidates usually just go for a hunting/outdoor theme when mentioning their endorsement.
Bloomberg is worried
Mayor Mike realizes that the Sullivan Law isn’t going to stand up to legal challenges so he wants to try and lower the fee structure for firearm licenses in hopes of preserving as much of his power to screw over ordinary citizens as possible. See INT 313-2010.
However, since the Clown Council doesn’t have as much experience with gun issues as he does, they don’t seem to grasp the situation. As Councilman Erik Dilan told the Post:
“… I don’t know how anybody could . . . speculate that we’re going to be sued by the National Rifle Association or any other entity for the fee when it’s been set at that rate for several years,” he said …”
He probably does not understand that up until McDonald, New York State operated under the notion that there is no right to own guns and therefore all gun control laws were acceptable. Incorporation changed that. I also doubt that he and most other most Councilmembers realize that New York City gun laws are way out of the mainstream. Bloomberg knows this and clearly expects problems:
“… “We want to be in compliance with the law as we understand the Chicago decision was made. We don’t want to lose the ability to have reasonable controls. If we have controls that the courts have ruled are too onerous or too unfair, we could lose” other gun-regulation measures that are in place …”
Notice, he’s just going after the fees, not the arbitrary discretion powers (yet). He has to know that won’t stand up. At some point he’s going to have to address that issue.
Gibson leading Murphy
Chris Gibson has now taken the lead over incumbent Scott Murphy in CD-20. The NRA’s endorsement of Murphy does not appear to be helping him.
Paulin-Atayan debate on guns
Video footage from the recent LWV debate in AD-88 between Amy Paulin and Rene Atayan.
The gun control question comes up at 2:05.
More troubles for McCarthy
More bad news for Carolyn McCarthy means more good news for gunnies. From the Daily News, “New York Democrats anxious as Long Island Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, other pols face barrage“:
“… “It’s not the rookies we’re worried about as much as some of the people who have been around a while,” lamented a senior New York City congressman, who spoke about strategy on the condition of anonymity. “I’m a little worried that people like Carolyn McCarthy are out of practice on how to run a real race, and you never know with Nassau County voters,” the lawmaker warned …”
McCarthy has never had a serious challenger before. The GOP has basically let her slide. Her problems now center around the general anti-Democrat/anti-Obama sentiment along with her funny money scandal.
Missing the target
During the Senatorial debates yesterday, Jay Townsend asserted that Chuck Schumer has a pistol license:
“… While fielding a question on gun control, Townsend claimed that Schumer had a permit to carry a concealed weapon. Schumer said that assertion was “a lie.” …”
This is true. Neither Chuck nor his wife or daughters have pistol licenses. It’s a long running internet myth that he has a NYC pistol license. Townsend’s campaign should have done their homework because Schumer’s campaign easily backed up their defense. The one who does have a license, from California, is Dianne Feinstein.
CD-4 mailers
The Politico reports that NRA is doing color mailers on behalf of Fran Becker in CD-4.
Becker is not pro-gun. His one redeeming quality is that he is not incumbent Carolyn McCarthy.
Run on your voting record
Below is video of the recent debate between Assemblywoman Addie Russell and her challenger David Forsythe. She lies about receiving an F claiming it was because she did not fill out NRA’s questionnaire. No, it’s because of her voting record including supporting microstamping A-6468C, prohibiting “child operated” firearms A-1326 and expanding COBIS A-2882B. It starts at 5:12.
McCarthy looking desperate
Carolyn McCarthy has launched an attack ad against opponent Fran Becker. I don’t recall her doing that in previous years. It has to be in response to politicos reporting a competitive race in CD-4.