Area political leaders call attention to new gun legislation making its way through Albany
Four prominent area elected officials -- all Republicans -- gathered on the steps of the old Genesee County courthouse today to call attention to legislation that shows every sign of being enacted that will curb the rights of law-abiding gun owners.
Sen. Mike Ranzenhofer led the press conference, which included Assemblyman Steve Hawley, Sheriff Gary Maha and County Clerk Don Read.
The four men underscored three key points: The legislation will do nothing to curb crime, it is out of step with the interests of upstate New York, and it will burden county governments with yet one more unfunded mandate.
While there are more than a dozen new gun restrictions being pushed by legislative Democrats, the key piece of legislation under fire by Ranzenhofer today would require the renewal of gun carry permits every five years.
Both Ranzenhofer and Hawley noted that such legislation will do nothing to deter criminals, who don't bother with gun permits anyway.
"Basically what you have legislators from New York City who feel it might be appropriate in their community trying to impose their New York City will on Genesee County," Ranzenhofer said.
Here are five related documents (PDF):
- Ranzenhofer Press Release
- Hawley Press Release
- Don Read Press Release
- Gun Permit Legislation
- Roll Call of Assembly Vote on Legislation
I had a couple of video problems -- sound, misbehaving tripod, chiefly -- with covering the press conference today, but the worse problem is that I had to change tapes (it seem that long ago that I started a new tape) during the PC, and that tape somehow did not make it home with me tonight for editing. Below is what little video I have available now, where in Ranzenhofer, at the very end, sums up some of the key points of opposition to the legislation.
UPDATE 5/4/09: I got ahold of the other tape and pulled off what was recoverable, which was statements by Hawley, Maha and Read