NY gun registrations, magazine limits begin today

Posted by Steve Adcock

In another ominous sign of what “tax day” in America really means, the state of New York’s new gun registration requirement and limits on magazines goes into effect today, leaving law-abiding New Yorkers less safe and less prepared to defend themselves and their families against violent attacks from the United States’ criminal element.

After a well-publicized incident of New York wrongly confiscating a state resident’s firearms enabled by just this kind of registration, only time will tell how many New Yorkers will willingly give up their constitutional rights by registering their firearms with the state. This case clearly indicates the state’s desire to heavily regulate who it deems worthy of gun ownership and personal protection. Moreover, the state evidently feels little obligation to doing even the slightest modicum of due diligence before removing a law-abiding citizen’s ability to protect him or herself with a firearm.

Magazine limits also go into effect today, making it that much easier for home invaders – especially those who choose to break into homes in groups – to successfully rob state residents of their possessions and, in some cases, their lives. Law-abiding state residents are now required to take care of the situation using no more than 7 shots. Criminals’ magazine capacities, of course, are not required to abide by the law.

Today, New Yorkers are less safe than yesterday. The state legislature systematically removed law-abiding people’s ability to protect themselves and positioned the state to be the supreme ruler of firearms in the state, which is home to one of the bloodiest cities in the union – New York City.

To say the state of New York did its citizens a disservice is an understatement. This is flat out criminal.

New York’s new SAFE Act claims first victim, Iraq war veteran

Posted by Steve Adcock

Article Highlights

War veteran victim of entrapment by state of New York police

Faces 7-years in jail after selling two now-banned weapons

Laughably, state considers man’s actions “potentially dangerous”

Benjamin Wassell of Silver Creek, New York, was arrested this week and charged with selling weapons now banned in the state of New York after the passage of the “SAFE Act” to an under cover police officer. He is the first victim of his state’s new terribly destructive gun control measure.

He is charged with twice selling now-banned AR-15s with magazines that exceed the new state-wide capacity limit and a pistol grip, telescoping butt stock and bayonet mount. The first sale included 299 rounds of ammunition and six magazines. The second sale included 21 rounds of ammunition. He is charged with felonies that could land the Iraq war veteran and weapons expert in jail for as many as 7 years.

“By selling these illegal firearms, Mr. Wassell’s actions had potentially dangerous consequences for New Yorkers,” said State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, who added that the illegal sale of semiautomatic weapons will not go unpunished.

The insanity of this rammed through piece of legislation continues to amaze, and the words of the state’s own Attorney General stands as proof of just how clueless and inconsequential these gun control measures really are. ”Potentially dangerous consequences”? This man was setup by agents of the state – in this case, an undercover police officer – hell-bent on putting a knowledgeable weapons expert and war veteran behind bars for selling a weapon that was once legal just weeks ago. The implication that this arrest makes anyone in New York safer is nonsensical on its face.

This man is a victim of the systematic destruction of liberty within the state of New York.

Early March sees both good and bad in fight for gun freedom

Posted by Steve Adcock

The first week of March ushered in a variety of legislation that both threatens law-abiding citizens and their right to defend themselves and, in the case of Utah and some other states, offers a more promising future that cements the second amendment to state residents. Here’s a look at some of the more positive developments.

Utah passes 2nd Amendment Preservation Act

In a 49 to 17 vote, the state of Utah passed a measure that nullifies all federal gun control legislation that would restrict a state resident’s right to keep and bear arms, including firearm registration and senseless limitations of weapon capabilities (ie: magazine limits).

Colorado representative may withdraw his own bill banning weapons on campuses

In a strange turn of events in one of the more recent states to pass restrictive controls on guns and their capabilities, Democrat Senator Rollie Heath is said to be prepared to abandon his own bill that would have banned the use of concealed weapons on state college campuses. Others in the state legislature believe those reports to be rumors, but Republicans insist that even if the bill does go forward, it’ll be dead on arrival.

South Dakota passes law to allow teachers to carry guns into schools

State Governor Dennis Daugaard signed into law this week a bill that gives school teachers the legal authority to carry weapons into class for protection. Although some other states allow teachers to be armed, South Dakota becomes the first state to explicitly authorize teachers to keep loaded weapons in their classrooms.

Maine town toys with requiring gun ownership

The small 140-person town of Byron, Maine is considering a proposition that would require city residents to carry firearms for their protection, a measure that will be discussed at next week’s town hall meeting. The measure is expected to pass. Proponents of the measure believe that “enough is enough” and wants the state, and federal government, to quit micromanaging the small town and their self defense capabilities.

Challenges mount for New York’s new SAFE Act

A group of plaintiffs from around New York state have filed a lawsuit against the state’s new gun control laws that restrict a law-abiding resident’s right to self defense, arguing the law is far too broad and bans too many weapons, including common pump shotguns and any gun that holds more than 7 rounds of ammunition. A state judge has taken the case and has required state lawmakers to show cause that the law does not violate the state Constitution.

Let’s set New York up as an example and support gun control

Posted by Steve Adcock

After spending the better part of my adult life witnessing first hand how little gun control works in virtually any form and politicians completely ignoring clear empirical evidence, I have decided to switch my tune and support gun control – and I am talking about stringent, restrictive and completely unconstitutional gun control – in the state of New York. If you guys want it, then I think you should get it.

Completely disarm the law-abiding citizens of the state of New York and only allow guns into the hands of criminals. Forget the 7-round magazine limit. Simply ban ALL semi-automatic guns, including AR-type rifles and handguns. Heck, throw revolvers into the mix as well. Ban every gun. Only police are allowed to legally carry a firearm in the state of New York.

Let’s do it. Support gun control in the state of New York. Unless the state “goes all the way” with control, it is meaningless and nonsensical to ban “assault style weapons” because regular handguns are used in the vast majority of gun crimes, not these supposed “assault weapons”. Regular handguns, like a 9mm Glock 19. Nothing more powerful or expensive than a $200 revolver is all you need to commit a gun crime.

I call on the state of New York to put their money where their mouth is – ban every gun. Stop picking and choosing the firearm capabilities of state residents. Stop these piecemeal attacks on a law-abiding person’s ability to defend him or herself. Man up, New York state, and just ban everything – if you have the guts.

Then after a couple years, I call on the state of New York to release its crime statistics since the ban took effect to illustrate the effectiveness of gun control – if the state dares.

Gun rights group files lawsuit in NY over state’s new SAFE Act

Posted by Steve Adcock

Article Highlights

Judge demands New York prove new gun control’s constitutionality

Law’s “message of necessity” is in focus, which bans assault weapons

New law limits magazine capacity, bans certain rifles and shotguns

Believing the new gun laws enacted in New York violate the state’s Constitution, a judge has agreed to hear a case brought forth by gun rights group “We The People of New York”, which includes over 1200 plaintiffs from 58 different New York counties.

The judge in the case has ordered the state to show cause that the state’s new gun regulations do not violate the state’s constitution.

At heart in this case is the law’s “message of necessity”, which states, “Some weapons are so dangerous, and some ammunition devices are so lethal, that New York State must act without delay to prohibit their continued sale and possession in the state in order to protect its children, first responders and citizens as soon as possible. This bill, if enacted, would do so by immediately banning the ownership, purchase and sale of assault weapons and large-capacity ammunition feeding devices.”

State officials argue that since the law grandfathers in so-called “assault weapons” already owned by state residents, the law does not represent a sweeping and immediate ban on every assault weapon. These weapons must be registered with the state by current owners. Residents must register or sell these weapons by January 15, 2014.

The lead plaintiff in the case accuses the State of New York of ramming through these new gun laws in violation of the state’s three-day waiting period and believes the state misrepresented several portions of the new law.

“For starters, Governor Cuomo violated Article III, Section 14 of the New York Constitution by misstating the facts in his message of necessity in order to ram the NY SAFE [Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement] Act through the Senate and Assembly in a matter of hours. There was no legitimate need for speed,” he said.

“By doing what he did, he denied us our right of free speech and to petition the government,” he added, referring to the absence of public opinion on the matter. “That is a First Amendment right. That is a fundamental right protected by the Constitution and also guaranteed by our state constitution.

The NY SAFE Act bans magazines with more than 7 loaded rounds. It also bans any rifle or shotgun with a so-called “assault weapon feature”, such as a pistol grip, bayonet lug, telescoping or folding stock or threaded barrel. It also bans rifles with a muzzle break or compensator, thumbhole stock or foregrip.