Law-abiding gun owners prevailed in Albany on Wednesday during a special session called by Governor Pataki (R). During the session, lawmakers passed legislation that focused on illegal gun trafficking and crimes against police officers. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver's (D-64) shameless attempts to use this opportunity to go after legal gun owners and to put legitimate licensed gun dealers out of business failed this time, but he has vowed to bring his anti-gun proposals back when the legislature goes into regular session in early January. In fact, a December 22, New York Times article quotes Mr. Silver as saying, "Our job is not finished. While we have locked the front door on gun traffickers, the NRA's influence in Albany keeps the back door open."
It is critical that NRA members remain vigilant. We urge you to contact your lawmakers to thank them for keeping the focus where it belongs--on the criminals. You should also remind them that NRA is acting as a voice for the thousands upon thousands of law-abiding gun owners, hunters, and sportsmen in New York State that are members of our organization. Speaker Silver's insinuation that those lawmakers who don't go along with him are doing the NRA's bidding is just plain wrong. They are acting on the will of the people who elected them. Assemblymembers can be reached at (518) 455-4100, and State Senators can be reached at (518) 455-2800.