Gun Control Measures Stall in Albany

Gun owners in the Empire State can breathe a sigh of relief as the New York Legislature concluded its 2014 regular session last Friday. Despite the ongoing litigation seeking to overturn last year’s damaging “SAFE Act,” anti-gun state lawmakers were busy once again continuing their attacks. The NRA was actively engaged in Albany again this year working against these additional gun control bills and fighting funding for the SAFE Act in the state budget.

New York Senate Co-Majority Leader Jeff Klein (D-34) pushed S.7822 right up until the final gavel. This bill would force gun owners to store their firearms under lock and key in their homes or face serious penalties. This misguided legislation is extremely dangerous because it is simply one more tool to harass law-abiding gun owners, and it would render firearms useless in self-defense situations when seconds matter.

Gun owners were also able to escape passage of microstamping legislation which has failed to pass at least the last six consecutive years. Microstamping is easily circumvented by common household tools. Other than making firearms and ammunition much more expensive, A.3244A/S.68A would have absolutely no impact on public safety or violent crime.

Even though these bills stalled, the persistence of anti-gun state lawmakers and anti-gun Governor Andrew Cuomo is evident. Showing no remorse for last year’s debacle, politicians in Albany continue their assault on the Second Amendment, and gun owners will have to remain vigilant as these proposals will undoubtedly be back again next year.