(Albany, NY – June 13, 2015) Earlier this month, the State Senate passed legislation co-sponsored by Sen. Joseph Griffo that would repeal certain aspects of the so-called NY SAFE Act.
Sen. Griffo has always shared a strong belief with many constituents across his district in Oneida, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties that the Governor’s SAFE Act is a flawed and overreaching policy that was rushed into implementation in 2013 without any input from law-abiding gun owners. The law was tasked with certain authorities without knowing relevant facts at the time, and therefore Sen. Griffo believes the Senate’s vote to revise the SAFE Act is a step toward addressing some of the most egregious provisions.
“This legislation begins to roll back many aspects of the SAFE Act that were poorly thought out, and that which ultimately serve only to burden legal gun owners while taking few steps to prevent further gun violence within our communities,” said Sen. Griffo, R-C-I, Rome. “The only way to address gun violence is to keep firearms out of the hands of those who intend to cause harm, not by creating unnecessary headaches for responsible gun enthusiasts, hunters, law enforcement and people who merely want to protect their homes and families.”
Among the proposed changes approved Monday by the Senate (S5716) is the repeal of the provision of the SAFE Act stating that a 10-round magazine can only legally hold seven rounds. Federal U.S. District Court Judge William Skretny in Buffalo has ruled that this seven-round limitation is arbitrary and could not survive constitutional scrutiny, but that ruling has since been appealed. By enacting this legislation, however, the need for any further court action would be eliminated.
Griffo added, “It was ridiculous for anyone to think that any violent individual would care what the law said about loading a magazine with only seven rounds instead of the full 10-round capacity. This aspect of the law made no sense and was unenforceable, and the fact that a federal judge in Western New York agreed with our reasoning should speak for itself.”
The other overdue reforms passed Monday include:
* Full repeal of the overly burdensome and costly state database program requiring all ammunition retailers to register with the state and to conduct background checks on all purchases of ammunition.
*Reaffirming a person’s right to inherit a semi-automatic rifle that is owned by a family-member so that these firearms can be legally passed from one generation to the next.
*Strengthening privacy protections for gun owners by preventing public disclosure of personal information contained on firearms licenses.
*Stronger due process provisions, requiring notification if someone is placed on any list alleging mental health concerns that could affect their right to own firearms.
*Restoring responsibility to our local County-level licensing officials to oversee handgun recertification, and shifting control of New York’s pistol permit database away from the State Police to an administrative, non-law enforcement agency.
“Our Second Amendment right to bear arms is one of the most empowering privileges we possess as citizens of this state and nation, and we cannot ever allow those rights to be whittled away by an overzealous Government,” Griffo said. “The citizens of my district demand that I continue to fight for reforms that protect our freedoms, and I encourage the Assembly to also do the right thing, sponsor this legislation and stand up for responsible gun owners.”