Madmallard
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Four years after Gov. Andrew Cuomo approved the NY SAFE Act, Republican members of the Rensselaer County Legislature are still showing their opposition to the law.
During its monthly meeting last week, the legislature approved two resolutions supporting the Second Amendment, advocating for repeal of the SAFE Act and cancellation of the required recertification by pistol owners by votes along party lines.
The resolution requesting an appeal of the SAFE Act was approved after a 10-5 vote. The decision was split between Republicans and Democrats on the Legislature with all Republicans present during the meeting voting in favor of the resolution and all Democrats present voted in opposition.
Legislators also approved a resolution seeking cancellation of recertification by pistol permit owners. That resolution was also approved by a 10-5 vote. All Republicans also voted in favor of this resolution and all Democrats present also voted in opposition.
Four years later, legislators said their concerns about the law have been proven right.
“The NY SAFE Act has not made New Yorkers safer and is an unfair restriction on the constitutional rights of state residents,” said Legislator Todd Tesman. “The law is also a burden on law enforcement and government.”
“All constitutional rights deserve to be protected,” added Legislator Kelly Hoffman. “The NY SAFE Act was approved with little debate, with no public notice and there has been little to no proof the law makes anyone safer.”
Majority Republican legislators said the recertification, which is required under the NY SAFE Act, is unnecessary as much of the information is already on file in counties across the state.
“The recertification is duplicative and unfair, and also will end up costing taxpayers money to implement,” said Legislator Robert Loveridge, “and just like the SAFE Act, there is little to no benefit to public safety.”
Rensselaer County was among the first county to oppose the NY SAFE Act following sudden approval of the law in 2013. Members of the majority in the County Legislature said at the time the state law was an infringement on constitutional rights and do little to improve public safety.
County legislators pass resolutions opposing SAFE Act
During its monthly meeting last week, the legislature approved two resolutions supporting the Second Amendment, advocating for repeal of the SAFE Act and cancellation of the required recertification by pistol owners by votes along party lines.
The resolution requesting an appeal of the SAFE Act was approved after a 10-5 vote. The decision was split between Republicans and Democrats on the Legislature with all Republicans present during the meeting voting in favor of the resolution and all Democrats present voted in opposition.
Legislators also approved a resolution seeking cancellation of recertification by pistol permit owners. That resolution was also approved by a 10-5 vote. All Republicans also voted in favor of this resolution and all Democrats present also voted in opposition.
Four years later, legislators said their concerns about the law have been proven right.
“The NY SAFE Act has not made New Yorkers safer and is an unfair restriction on the constitutional rights of state residents,” said Legislator Todd Tesman. “The law is also a burden on law enforcement and government.”
“All constitutional rights deserve to be protected,” added Legislator Kelly Hoffman. “The NY SAFE Act was approved with little debate, with no public notice and there has been little to no proof the law makes anyone safer.”
Majority Republican legislators said the recertification, which is required under the NY SAFE Act, is unnecessary as much of the information is already on file in counties across the state.
“The recertification is duplicative and unfair, and also will end up costing taxpayers money to implement,” said Legislator Robert Loveridge, “and just like the SAFE Act, there is little to no benefit to public safety.”
Rensselaer County was among the first county to oppose the NY SAFE Act following sudden approval of the law in 2013. Members of the majority in the County Legislature said at the time the state law was an infringement on constitutional rights and do little to improve public safety.
County legislators pass resolutions opposing SAFE Act
