The General Assembly, set to wrap up the 2006 legislative session last night, continued to work into Friday. Nothing will be final until lawmakers actually recess and head back to their districts, but it is looking likely that gun owners and sportsmen will be happy with the outcome.
Not a single item pushed by New Yorkers Against Gun Violence and passed by the notoriously anti-gun Democrat-led Assembly looks as though it will become law this year.
As you may recall back in January, in an effort to deflect attention away from his unwillingness to get tough on cop-killers, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-64) championed a nine-bill package of meaningless measures which included A 673A, which creates the crimes of failure to store a weapon “safely” and negligent storage; A 2302, which would prohibit the retail sale of a handgun that does not contain a “child proofing” or integrated safety device; and A 4471, which would ban the sale, use and possession of .50 caliber firearms. Also approved were: A 2837, which would outlaw many types of ammunition commonly used on shooting ranges and for safety and training purposes; A 2466A, which would drastically expand the state's ban on so-called “assault weapons”; and A 9280, which imposes criminal penalties and legal liability on legitimate licensed firearm dealers for any criminal activity that occurs after the retailer has sold the firearm to a qualified buyer, and would further require that the retailer obtain exorbitant insurance policies to pay for the actions of criminals. The bill would also require that retailers place all firearms in fireproof safes or vaults during non-business hours. More good news¾lawmakers approved NRA-supported A 11864/S 2742A, which will extend the exemption provided for possession and use of a pistol or revolver at a pistol range for persons at least 14 years of age. Governor George Pataki's five-point anti-gun bill in 2000 made it illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to possess a handgun, but exempted 18 to 20-year olds while shooting on a range supervised by a qualified individual. Pataki's bill left many young competitive shooters under the age of 18 out in the cold.
Please call Governor Pataki at (518) 474-8390 and urge him to correct his mistake and sign this legislation when it reaches his desk.
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