{"id":8441,"date":"2013-05-17T08:14:32","date_gmt":"2013-05-17T12:14:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.gunpoliticsny.com\/?p=8441"},"modified":"2013-05-17T08:14:32","modified_gmt":"2013-05-17T12:14:32","slug":"sheriffs-really-oppose-safe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.gunpoliticsny.com\/?p=8441","title":{"rendered":"Sheriffs really oppose SAFE"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Buffalo News reports on the NYSSA support for the NYSRPA lawsuit<\/a>, “Sheriff Howard on SAFE Act: \u2018I won\u2019t enforce it\u2019<\/a>“:<\/p>\n

“It\u2019s no secret Sheriff Timothy B. Howard<\/a> is opposed to New York\u2019s new gun-control law. But Howard, who is running for re-election this year, is now ratcheting up his opposition by filing a friend of the court brief in the lawsuit seeking to overturn the SAFE Act and, even more important perhaps, by suggesting the law not be enforced. \u201cI\u2019m more than reluctant,\u201d he said of the new law Thursday. \u201cI won\u2019t enforce it.\u201d …”<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I have never heard an elected official from New York say that about a gun law.<\/p>\n

“… Howard is not the only sheriff to oppose the law \u2013 his brief was filed by the New York State Sheriff\u2019s Association<\/a> \u2013 but his stance on enforcement does put him at odds with some of his like-minded peers. \u00a0“I don\u2019t get to pick and choose what laws I enforce,\u201d said Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith<\/a>, a former president of the association. \u201cThat\u2019s exactly why we filed the amicus brief. \u00a0We need to change this law.\u201d<\/a> Smith, like Howard, does view the SAFE Act as a step backward and a blow to law-abiding citizens, especially gun owners. \u00a0The law, he said, may prove successful in limiting the type of weapons the general public can buy, but it will have little or no impact on what drug dealers, gang members and other criminals can get their hands on. \u00a0\u201cI actually call it the not-so-safe act,\u201d Smith said. \u201cUltimately, why would we put our citizens at a disadvantage to the criminals.\u201d …”<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The Albany Police Union’s letter to the Governor<\/a> answers that question: “You know that this shameful SAFE Act was about ideology and politics and not making anyone safer.”<\/em><\/p>\n

“… Assemblyman Sean Ryan, D-Buffalo<\/a>, almost couldn\u2019t believe his ears when told of Howard\u2019s public stance. \u00a0\u201cHe said that?\u201d Ryan asked incredulously. \u201cThere are all sorts of principled ways of going about this. \u00a0Law enforcement officials aren\u2019t allowed to pick and choose.” …”<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

It is a well established leftist tactic to refuse to enforce laws they don’t like<\/a>. \u00a0Ryan, who voted for SAFE, is just upset because the NYSSA’s stance makes both him and Governor Cuomo look bad. \u00a0Speaking of which, I have been informed that the Governor has signaled to Democrat Chemung Co. Sheriff Christopher Moss that he will try to remove him from office if he does not enforce SAFE. \u00a0Moss has also been critical of SAFE<\/a>.<\/p>\n