Local lawmakers join thousands at rally to repeal NY SAFE Act

ALBANY — State Sen. John Bonacic (R-C-Mount Hope) and Assemblywoman Annie Rabbit (R-C-Greenwood Lake) were among a large group of lawmakers who joined thousands of protesters in Albany last Thursday, Feb. 28, calling for the repeal of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s SAFE Act gun control laws.

Since the recent redistricting, Bonacic’s 42nd state senate district has included the Town of Warwick, which is also represented by Rabbitt in her 98th assembly district.

‘Little to improve public safety’

It’s been estimated that approximately 5,000 protesters attended the noon rally, the third and largest since the law was signed.

The law imposes tight restrictions on gun sales, adding new reporting requirements on gun owners, expanding a ban on semi-automatic weapons with military-style features and limiting the number of bullets in a detachable magazine from ten to seven.

Critics argue that the law was rushed through the Legislature on Jan. 15 by using the governor’s special message of necessity without the normal three-day review, public input and debate. As a result, there was little time to carefully read the 39-page bill, critics say, adding there are flaws such as the law’s failure to exempt the police or the National Guard from the seven-round limitation.

“The gun control law was poorly written, will not make our schools safer and will not stop crime,” Bonacic said in his remarks to the crowd. “Criminals, by their very definition ignore the law and can easily obtain their guns in New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania - or on the streets. There should be a national standard relating to keeping guns out of the hands of criminals, not a patchwork of ineffective state laws.”

Bonacic, who voted against the law, reported that calls to his office have been overwhelmingly against it. He believes the focus should be on increasing penalties for criminals who use firearms and addressing the issue of mental illness.

Rabbitt also has been a vocal opponent of the new laws.

“All across our state,” she said, “citizens - whether they own guns or not - are outraged that their constitutional rights were trampled here in Albany in the middle of the night with passage of this sloppy legislation. This measure turns decent, law-abiding citizens into criminals and does very little to improve public safety.”

Rabbitt’s opposition
Rabbitt has launched a petition drive calling for the law’s repeal.

The assemblywoman, who has announced she plans to run for Orange County Clerk in November, also expressed concern that many of the provisions of the laws will take effect starting March 16, including prohibiting police or peace officers from carrying weapons on school grounds.

This measure would also affect any retired police officers who are currently serving as school resource officers, security or peace officers. To address this, she has introduced legislation, Assembly Bill 4797, that would exempt these officers.

In addition Rabbitt is also worried that the governor’s Executive Budget proposes to borrow $32.7 million to help the State Police create and maintain the pistol permit database mandated in the new law.

“There are so many problems with the Act, and on top of it, we’re increasing state debt to pay for it,” she said. “This makes no sense to me or the people I represent in Orange and Rockland counties. Clearly, citizens all across our state share these concerns, as shown by the phenomenal turnout for the rally.

Elsewhere
Concern for the new laws has also been expressed by the New York State Sheriffs’ Association, among other law enforcement, mental health professionals and the New York State Association of Counties. A majority of counties in the state, including Orange County, have passed resolutions opposing provisions of the act. The complete list is available at www.nysaferesolutions.com.

- Roger Gavan