Tom DiGennaro | United States

New York Democrats passed the states first gun control package since the SAFE Act of 2013 on January 26th, 2019. 30 day waiting periods, bump stock ban, prohibition of teachers carrying in schools, and red flag laws were passed through the state legislature.

New York’s state government is under one-party control. Democrat Andrew Cuomo is in the governor’s mansion and a Democrat majority controls both the state assembly and senate. This democratic-run state government passed all six gun control bills bought to the floor. Most notably is the red-flag law and the dangers associated with the passage of such legislation.

Red Flag Laws

Red flag laws allow family members, school officials or law enforcement to go to a judge, who then can order confiscation of firearms or halt the purchase of. Due process will not be afforded to those subject to such legal interjections.

This type of government power is incredibly dangerous; it is unclear how far the government will go in infringing upon rights, but this gives them the immense potential to do so.

Emotion Clouds Judgement

This yet another example of the all-to-familiar trading of liberties for securities. Obviously, incidents, where there are fatalities as a result of gun violence, are tragic. However, far too often emotion clouds judgment. The mother of a victim of the Parkland shooting appeared alongside Governor Cuomo. “Parkland would’ve never happened if they had a red flag law”, she claims.

Emotion is fueling this fear and hatred of firearms that led to this legislation passing through the state legislature. More often than not, those who fear firearms and advocate for gun control know next to nothing about basic firearm safety. Most have never even held one. And a vast majority fails to understand both the implications of the power red flag laws give the government, as well as the ineffectiveness of such regulations to curbing gun violence. Ignorance breeds fear, and fear breeds hate.

This set of regulations is the first time New York has introduced and passed gun laws since the SAFE Act that followed the Sandy Hook shooting six years ago. With a Democrat-controlled state government, you can bet the next set of gun regulations and stripping of due process will be coming in the near future.

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