Gov. Hochul has called the state legislature back into session on Thursday June 30 to try and moot the SCOTUS decision with new gun control laws.
NYC gun owners celebrate SCOTUS ruling
I’m quoted in this Gothamist article, “NYC gun owners celebrate Supreme Court ruling on concealed-carry“:
“… Jacob Rieper, who runs the pro-Second Amendment blog Gun Politics New York, said in the short term he expects gun owners to face more restrictions, as lawmakers scramble to pass new legislation to regulate permits. “The Legislature’s absolutely not going to just let this slide,” he said. “They’re going to throw as much up against the wall as possible to see what sticks.” But Rieper expects those attempts to make their way to the Supreme Court, too. And when they do, he thinks the justices will rule in his favor. He also thinks the decision could help nudge along bills in Congress that would ease gun carrying rules — both for New York residents and out-of-towners. “I think this case is going to help move legislation at the federal level that’s going to force New York to become more like the rest of the country,” Rieper said …”
Vote for Astorino in the GOP primary
There is a Republican gubernatorial primary next Tuesday. Two of the candidates have public records on 2A, two do not. This is how they break down on the issues:
- Rob Astorino. As Westchester County Executive he brought gun shows back to the County Center in White Plains and streamlined the pistol licensing process. He called for repealing of the SAFE Act from the start and said before the SCOTUS decision was announced that New York should become right-to-carry.
- Lee Zeldin. As a Army Reservist he was on active duty at the time and was not present when the SAFE Act was voted on. He did speak at a rally opposing it in 2013. As a State Senator he did vote for Governor Cuomo’s budget bills, but the SAFE Act cannot be defunded this way so while fiscal criticism is valid here, 2A criticism is not. As a member of Congress he co-sponsored H.R. 38: Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act and signed on to the Congressional amicus brief in support of concealed carry.
- Harry Wilson. No known public record on the issue. There is no mention of gun control on his campaign website. He did visit the Pine Tree Rifle Club recently. His campaign appears to be based upon fiscal policy and not social issues.
- Andrew Giuliani. There is no mention of gun control on his campaign website. He has voiced opposition to “red flag” laws (here and here) and publicly supported the SCOTUS decision, but does not otherwise seem to make guns an issue in his campaign.
Based upon their record, both Astorino and Zeldin can be labeled as pro-gun. However, Astorino demonstrated a willingness to stand up for gun rights when it was not necessarily politically advantageous for him to do so. That makes him the best choice for 2A activists. Republicans should vote for Astorino in the June 28 primary.
License restrictions go away
“… Oneida County’s assistant pistol licensing officer says it removes the distinction between unrestricted and sporting licenses. “If they sign off to give somebody a license, all licenses are unrestricted, full carry, carry-concealed licenses,” says Oneida County’s Assistant Pistol Licensing Officer, Dan Sullivan. Sullivan says all of the current sporting licenses in the county will automatically become unrestricted …”
The restrictions don’t exist in the penal code anyway. They came about by judicial fiat in a court case ~25 years ago.
Mayor Adams’ statement on SCOTUS decision
NYC calling for new carry law
The NYC City Council is expected to pass a resolution calling for the state legislature to enact a new restrictive carry law.
SCOTUS nukes Sullivan Act
SCOTUS just nuked the Sullivan Act in a 6-3 decision.
The reaction from electeds has been hilarious.
This horribly irresponsible decision by #SCOTUS will have dramatic & deadly effects in New York & other states where strong protections exist against bringing weapons to public places. We must address this horrendous decision immediately & return to Albany to protect NYers. 🧵
— Linda B. Rosenthal “the #OriginalRosenthal” (@LindaBRosenthal) June 23, 2022
Albany, however, won’t let this ruling go unchallenged. I expect the legislature will be called back over the summer to pass new restrictions. It will be a broad-based attack, throwing everything up against the wall to see what sticks.
Community leaders want to know where guns come from
Newsbits
Saturday’s Newsbits:
Elections:
Legislation:
- What sportsmen should know about ammo following NY’s legislative session
- Local legislatures in New York want gun retailers to display warning labels
Politics:
- Congressman Joe Morelle calls for federal intervention to address gun violence across Rochester community
- Rep. Torres urges enforcing safer gun protocols and laws
- Rep. Maloney Holds Press Conference on the Scourge of Gun Violence in Nation’s Schools
- Gun groups continue to wield influence in NY through contributions, lobbying