�??When our governor decided to strip away New Yorkers�?? rights, we the people moved to reject those policies,” Gottstein said.

Thousands gather at Empire State�??s capital on Feb. 28 to support the Second Amendment and oppose New York�??s Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act.

�??This is the largest grassroots rally turn-out I have seen in my lifetime,�?� said Carl R. Gottstein Jr., a media promoter from Rensselaer County, who was tapped to coordinate back-stage security at the Albany anti-SAFE event.

What started off as a lobby day for New York State Rifle & Pistol Association morphed into a cultural event, said the five-year National Rifle Association member. �??We had 10,000-plus patriots in the mud, that�??s akin to a Tea Party Woodstock.�?�

�??When our governor decided to strip away New Yorkers�?? rights, we the people moved to reject those policies,” he said.

�??The state police reported eight to 10,000 attendees,�?� said Tom Cavanagh, founder and organizer of Upstate Conservative Coalition. �??It�??s the biggest crowd convened at Albany that I have ever seen.�?�

New Yorkers came from all over the state, said the Air Force veteran. �??We put together one Facebook page that linked everyone together from Long Island to Buffalo.�?�

Gun rights is an issue that brings people together from all walks of life, Cavanagh said.

�??There were young, old, Republican, Democrat, Tea Party, and Occupy movements represented,�?� he said.

�??They travelled by foot, by car, and on 170 buses statewide,” he said.

�??When we permit the government to take our guns away, what�??s next?�?� he asked.

�??Next is we are helpless against the state,” he said.

Cavanagh said county by county, municipalities are voting on resolutions to reject the S.A.F.E. Act. �??So far, we have 27 out of 62 counties resolving to not comply with Cuomo�??s gun ban–that number will grow in the coming weeks.�?�

The local resistance will slow down the law’s enforcement, he said.

�??It was an overwhelming, great show of people from all across the state who share our values and our way of life,�?� said state Assemblyman Steve Katz from Putnam County.

�??This show of support is about more than just gun control,�?� he said. �??It is about our ability to maintain our rights under the U.S. Constitution and the New York State constitution.�?�

Katz said the state government miscalculated the reaction of its citizens.

�??Governor Cuomo would probably like this whole thing to go away. Even the Cuomo staff estimated low compliance, yet they forged ahead with the Cuomo show regardless,” he said.

�??Cuomo and the state legislature are cowards,�?� said the two-term assemblyman.

�??They were cowardly to push this legislation through without the 3-day review process.�?� �??Cuomo is a self interest, self absorbed, opportunist,�?� said Carl Paladino, a self-made tycoon, and 2010 GOP candidate for New York governor. �??Cuomo is so narcissistic that he can�??t accept not getting what he wants.�?�

The governor is looking for a national reputation as the tough liberal, but it will not work, he said. �??Cuomo has ruined his political career.”

Paladino said this moment in history is a unique movement for New York. �??The fight for the Second Amendment has brought together families, women, men, and tax payers, like never before.�?�

Army veteran and former police officer, Christopher B. Pajarillo said he drove for two hours from Riverpool to attend.

�??I felt honored to be a part of the crowd of all age groups and races who believes in freedom for our Nation,�?� he said. �??There�??s hope for New York!�?�