Antigun RINO Liz Feld has decided not to challenge Kirsten Gillibrand:
“… New York needs an energetic and fiscally conservative candidate …”
And that criteria rules her out.
NYAGV press release on microstamping
New Yorkers Against Gun Violence did sent out a press release in response to lobby day on the 12th. They posted it as a comment on Capitol Confidential’s morning entry for that day. It’s the only place I have found it.
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Contact: Jackie Hilly 212-679-2345Learn the Truth About Protecting the Police
LaPierre Woefully Out of Touch with Most Americans and Gun Owners!The truth is common sense gun laws save lives, especially the lives of law enforcement officers. But when the gun lobby descends on Albany today the only thing on display will be aggravated rhetoric, platitudes, and false accusations.
In 2009, with the weakest gun laws in the industrialized world, the United States experienced a 26% increase in law enforcement deaths from gunshots. As police officers are killed and violence from guns continues to devastate communities, the gun lobby, locked in its rhetoric and loaded with lies, opposes sensible legislation like Microstamping (A6864/S4397). Law enforcement needs help to solve gun crimes, reduce illegal firearm trafficking, and get dangerous people off the streets. Microstamping legislation to help trace crime guns is supported by law enforcement throughout the state, the New York State Association of Sheriffs and Chiefs of Police, all 62 New York District Attorneys, and Mayors from cities all over the state. The gun lobby opposes it.
“Microstamping is a great investigative tool. Cartridges left at a crime scene could easily be traced to a specific weapon. This will help to create leads and help police investigators make arrests, take criminals off our streets and keep our communities safe,” said William J. Kilfoil, President of the NYS Association of Chiefs of Police.
NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre has said “the guys with the guns make the rules.” Mr. La Pierre is woefully out of touch with most Americans and out of touch with his own membership as a recent poll demonstrated American gun owners’ overwhelming support of sensible gun laws. “Right now too many bad guys have guns from states with weak gun laws,” said Jackie Hilly, Executive Director of New Yorkers Against Gun Violence. “We need leaders who will help us create safer streets in America, where our Police Officers and families don’t have to dodge bullets from illegal guns.”
When will the gun lobby stop protecting criminals, start listening to their own members and recognize the truth in Justice Scalia’s words: “The 2nd Amendment is not unlimited…the right was not a right to keep and carry any weapon whatsoever in any manner whatsoever and for whatever purpose.”
Sincerely,
Jackie Hilly, Executive Director
New Yorkers Against Gun Violence
212-679-2345
http://www.nyagv.org
nyagv@nyagv.org
What was on display was vastly more people than NYAGV has ever been able to muster in one place. NYAGV looks weak and they know it.
Schimel’s microstamping letter
As I said Michelle Schimel was not happy all those people showed up in Albany on Tuesday. Here is a copy of the letter she sent around the legislature in support of her microstamping bill, A-6468B.
Lobby day aftermath
About 1500 people showed up in Albany to lobby their legislators in the LOB/CAP yesterday. Here is some of the media coverage we got:
- Syracuse News 10, “Rally for Second Amendment“
- Times Union, “NRA and the Belly of the Beast“
- Journal News, “Sportsmen Descend On Capitol“. Also at the Democrat & Chroncile.
- Troy Record, “NRA’s big gun rolls into Albany“
- Binghamton News Channel 34 , “A keynote address was given by Wayne LaPierre, CEO and Executive Vice President of the NRA“
- Gotham Gazette, “Schimel Plays Defense on Microstamping“
- WTEN, “NRA leader comes to Albany for gun rally“
- WNYT, “Gun group rallies in Albany“
- Post-Standard, “Sportsmen’s Albany lobbying trip aimed to catch the attention of lawmakers“
- Capitol News 9, “Rally for the Second Amendment“
- Dick Nelson, “Sportsmen present a united front“
- The Saratogian, “NRA holds rally in Albany: Second Amendment rights at issue“
Shelly didn’t like this. The Assembly usually goes into session mid-afternoon, but he called it in the morning so as to keep gunnies away from their Assemblymen. He also booked all the conference rooms so there was no place to gather other than the Well and the reps. offices.
Michelle Schimel (who is on the NYAGV Board) didn’t like it either, which probably had to do with her having to walk through all those gunnies in order to get to her office. She passed around a letter attacking the NRA on microstamping. It was lame.
Schneiderman v. Rice
Liz Benjamin writes:
“… Insiders believe the fight for the Democratic AG nomination will likely come down to a battle between [Eric] Schneiderman on the left with support from labor unions and so-called “progressives,” and Nassau County DA Kathleen Rice running from a more centrist base (suburban, tough on crime etc.) …”
Both are antis, but Schneiderman is a movement antigunner. He promotes their agenda in the legislature. The only good thing about him running for AG is that he would have to give up his Senate seat to do that.
258,700
News of the day
Despite popular demand, the state legislature reconvenes Monday morning for the second half of the 2009-10 session.
Nominations for the “CNY Sportsman of the Year” are being sought.
This Thursday the DEC will be holding a “Sportsman and Conservation Group Conference” in Albany. No, I didn’t get an invitation.
NRA’s response to MAIG’s “Blueprint for Federal Action”:
“… Fortunately, Bloomberg’s latest effort has been mostly ignored by legislators and the media …”
NYPD denies a pistol license to detective:
“An NYPD detective who risked his life to infiltrate the Mafia has been stripped of the right to carry a firearm because of a line-of-duty injury … After suffering serious injuries in an on-duty car accident, [Rick] Cowan had a shunt put in his head – a device that carries a small risk of complications if he suffers a blow to the head. Department officials are concerned that if Cowan lost consciousness, he would be unable to safeguard his firearm and consigned him to its “no carry” list …”
That’s stupid.
“… “He’s being deprived of a firearm for no logical reason,” said his lawyer, Jeffrey Goldberg …”
Well, gee, so are ordinary citizens in NYC.
Schumer rising
As Harry Reid’s popularity decreases, the possibility of Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer increases.
Kaplowitz thinking of another bid for State Senate
The Putnam Co. News and Reporter says that Westchester legislator Mike Kaplowitz is considering another run for State Senate in SD-40. He messed with the idea of “smart guns” in the past. See county board minutes here and here.