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.
Legislative Report #16
More problems for Stachowski
Bill Stachowski looks as if he’s going to have a serious fight within his own party to hold onto his Senate seat. In addition to Tim Kennedy, legislative aide Michael Kuzma has announced his candidacy. According to the Buffalo News two others are expected to run as well.
Still no indication yet that Stachowski’s pro-gun history will be an issue, although this statement by Kuzma is cause for concern:
“… [Kuzma] has said he will run a “left of center” campaign for the post, hoping for success in what is proving a crowded field …”
Susan Molinari considering Senate run
Another name surfaces as a possible Senate candidate, Susan Molinari. The Advance writes:
“Former GOP Rep. Susan Molinari is looking at running against Democratic U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand this year … Ms. Molinari said she is being urged to run by her father, former Congressman and Borough President Guy Molinari, and by former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, both of whom called her yesterday … Guy Molinari said he called his daughter after despairing that no “star candidates” had emerged to take on Ms. Gillibrand …”
Not a good sign. The GOP looks desperate for a RINO candidate. I can’t remember exactly what her NRA rating was when she was in Congress, but I think it was either a C- or D something.