David Koon killed off two more of his antigun bills: A-2885, directs the superintendent of state police to issue rules to prevent the transfer of unsafe firearms to the state, and A-4377, authorizes the award of compensation to individuals injured by any person using a firearm, rifle or shotgun if such weapon was sold without a locking device.
Defining the problem
Bob Fois nails it:
“… Republicans in New York seem unwilling or unable to pull behind a candidate like New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. This is the real divide in New York. Old guard, liberal, elitist and corrupt establishment politics continues to plague both major parties — except Democrats are better at this stuff. Republicans will never defeat the Democrats statewide with the same old strategies … When the New York State Republican Committee starts to grasp the true demographic needed to wage a competitive statewide challenge to liberal Democrats like Andrew Cuomo, Republicans will start being Republicans again. Until then, the Republican establishment is wasting everyone’s time (and money). Andrew Cuomo will be elected the next governor of New York State, by default …”
RES 244-2010
RES 244-2010 was introduced to the Public Safety Committee yesterday by Councilman Lew Fidler. It calls upon the state legislature to pass a some gun control bills relating to pistol licensing and gun dealers.
Cuomo/Duffy
Andrew Cuomo has selected Rochester Mayor Robert Duffy as his choice for Lt. Governor. Duffy is a member of MAIG.
Schneiderman update
Eric Schneiderman has updated his campaign website. His antigun credentials are more prominently displayed under Issues -> Public Safety:
“… Eric is a national leader in the fight against illegal guns. Working with Mayor Bloomberg, Eric is the co-chair of Legislators Against Illegal Guns, a bi-partisan coalition of legislators representing suburban, rural and urban districts from around the country, united by a shared commitment to public safety. As Attorney General, Eric will employ high-tech, multi-state strategies to fight illegal guns and gangs to protect our schools, streets and communities from violence. Because over 90 percent of illegal guns in our state are smuggled from other states with weaker laws, New York cannot solve this problem alone. We must implement a new regional, interstate and multi-state approach to illegal gun trafficking. Eric will lead an “I-95″ coalition of state attorneys general, and state and local law enforcement agencies, to share and track data on gun crimes and gun sales between states.”
With guns and other issues, Schneiderman is trying to position himself as the biggest Leftist in the race. It’s not helping him as much as he’d like as the Times reports Andrew Cuomo is supporting Kathleen Rice:
“… In the weeks leading to the state Democratic convention next week, aides and allies of Mr. Cuomo have moved quietly and methodically to bolster Kathleen M. Rice, the Nassau County district attorney and the candidate widely believed to be Mr. Cuomo’s preferred successor …”
Rice is no prize either, but she’s not nearly as bad on guns as Schneiderman.
Mermel polling
Myers Mermel has decided to switch from running for Lt. Governor to Governor on the GOP line. His campaign just released a poll which, surprise, surprise, shows him in a favorable light. Guns were part of the poll:
“… Mermel … says a poll commissioned by him suggests that his composite — that is, a description of him that isn’t tied to his name — beats composites of the other Republicans in the race. If you take a look at the composites, you might conclude that they’re crafted just a bit to nudge respondents in, well, a certain direction … Likely Republican primary voters were given the choice between four candidate composites … Candidate B: Former Democrat … As Suffolk County Executive he raised school and property taxes, and is a strong supporter of gun control, abortion rights, and gay marriage. [STEVE LEVY] Candidate C: Is a former Congressman … is supported by former Governor George Pataki and is a supporter of gun control, abortion rights and gay marriage. [RICK LAZIO] …”
Majority/Minority Leader Schumer
The spectre of Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer appears again in the Washington Post article, “Sen. Chuck Schumer is positioned to be the Senate majority leader.” Rasmussen has incumbent Harry Reid floating around 40% compared with over 50% for both of his potential GOP opponents.
This assumes the Democrats will retain control of the Senate after November, which is increasingly in doubt as Barbara Boxer is in trouble in California. He could end up as Senate Minority Leader instead.
Cuomo announces
Andrew Cuomo formally announced his campaign for governor today. He has an extensive antigun record which can be summed up by this old post at the New York Sun:
“In arguing that the Second Amendment case now before the Supreme Court shouldn’t have any bearing on state gun control laws, Attorney General Cuomo is finding himself largely alone among state attorneys general. Mr. Cuomo filed a brief, signed onto by only four other states and Puerto Rico, to the federal high court last week in District of Columbia v. Heller … Mr. Cuomo’s brief is, in effect, an effort to limit any damage to the relatively strict handgun regulations in New York and some other states that might result from a Supreme Court decision favoring private gun ownership. The brief argues that the Second Amendment does not limit the power of state governments to regulate gun ownership …”
Legislative Report #25
Legislative Report #25 is now online.
After incorporation
Boss Daley spells out what’s in-store for gun owners after incorporation. Expect the same from Mayor Mike.