Republican lawmakers and gun-rights activists are gearing up for a rally Thursday that’s expected to attract 10,000 people, according to organizers.
Tom King, president of the state Rifle and Pistol Association, said 80 buses from around the state will travel to Albany for the protest on the Capitol lawn, where participants will denounce Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s so-called SAFE Act.
(UPDATE) A gun-control press conference that had been scheduled for Thursday at noon has been canceled, according to representatives from the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.
As of Monday, the presser was still on the Brady Campaign’s calendar; but on Tuesday afternoon, a public relations rep said it had been canceled. It is unclear why.
The press conference was supposed to include New Yorkers Against Gun Violence and other groups led by “moms,” to “emphasize the broad support the NY SAFE Act enjoys from New Yorkers,” according to a news release.
The Brady Campaign had planned to partner with 1199 SEIU, a New York City hospital workers’ union, to form a counter protest Thursday, but that was also abruptly canceled,
King criticized the union and gun control groups, saying on an Albany radio show Tuesday the groups were attempting to “rent a mob” by offering free transportation and free food.
King expects a tremendous turnout for the rally, where gun owners will protest the law that bans assault weapons and limits ammunition, among other provisions, he said on TALK 1300 (WGDJ-AM).
“I don’t think that the weather is going to affect these guys one way or another,” King said. “They’re just committed to this. I’ve never seen the people of New York state as incensed over any issue as I have over this issue.”
Twenty-four county legislatures have passed resolutions denouncing or calling for repeal of the law, and others could follow. King said he expects as many as 47 or 48 of the state’s 62 counties to take such action.
“A number of our supporters have said, we’re really not gun owners, but we really detest the way that it was done,” King said, referring to the quick passage of the law. “And we’re worried about the rest of our civil rights. They have joined us.”
King said lawmakers will be among the speakers, including Sens. Greg Ball, R-Patterson, Putnam County, and Kathy Marchione, R-Halfmoon, Saratoga County. Former Assemblyman George Amedore, R-Rotterdam, Schenectady County, will also speak. He recently lost his bid for a Senate seat to Cecilia Tkaczyk, a Democrat from Duanesburg.
(Photo: Albany Times-Union)
3 Comments
I will not be available for medical reasons this time but am always interested in supporting this effort. I need to be able to accompany someone, as a 74 year old widow I have balance issues. Please let me know when a group is attending any of these and I will be pleased to join them.
( I used to shoot trap, sporting clays and national match and was an NRA instructor. I also hunted. I’m not just someone hoping to jump on a band wagon. Thanks for listening.)
Having eight rounds in a 10 round magazine, or having magazines with more than a 10 round capacity in New York will be defined as criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree; a “Class D Violent Felony.” Wondering what some class E felonies in New York are?
Listed below the fold are a few crimes in New York that are class E felonies and A misdemeanors which are one or two arrest levels below a class D felony.
120.70 – Luring a child | E Felony
121.11 – Criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation | A Misdemeanor
125.10 – Criminally negligent homicide | E Felony
130.20 – Sexual misconduct | A Misdemeanor
130.25 – Rape 3rd degree | E Felony
130.40 – Criminal sexual act 3rd degree | E Felony
130.52 – Forcible touching | A Misdemeanor
130.53 – Persistent sexual abuse | E Felony
130.65A – Aggravated sexual abuse 4th degree | E Felony
130.85 – Female genital mutilation | E Felony
135.05 – Unlawful imprisonment 2nd degree | A Misdemeanor
135.10 – Unlawful imprisonment 1st degree | E Felony
135.45 – Custodial interference 2nd degree | A Misdemeanor
135.50 – Custodial interference 1st degree | E Felony
135.55 – Substitution of children | E Felony
135.60 – Coercion 2nd degree | A Misdemeanor
150.01 – 5th degree Arson | A Misdemeanor
150.05 – 4th degree Arson | E Felony
178.10 – 4th degree Criminal diversion of prescription medications and prescriptions | A Misdemeanor
178.15 – 3rd degree Criminal diversion of prescription medications and prescriptions | E Felony
220.28 – Use of a child to commit a controlled substance offense | E Felony
240.05 – Riot 2nd degree | A Misdemeanor
240.06 – Riot 1st degree | E Felony
240.08 – Inciting to riot | A Misdemeanor 240.10 – Unlawful assembly | B Misdemeanor
240.15 – Criminal anarchy | E Felony
240.20 – Disorderly conduct | Violation
240.61 – Placing a false bomb or hazardous substance 2nd degree | E Felony
250.45 – Unlawful surveillance 2nd degree | E felony (Hidden cams for sexual gratification)
255.25 – Incest 3rd degree | E Felony
263.11 – Possessing an obscene sexual performance by a child | E Felony
263.16 – Possessing a sexual performance by a child | E Felony
Governor Cuomo is dividing the state and polarizing rural voters and citizens of New York. He has tried to imply that those opposed to the SAFE act are fringe elements or extremists. To the contrary, they are the people of New York State. Below is the growing list of 50 New York State counties, towns and law enforcement agencies who have passed or are passing resolutions against the SAFE ACT:
Counties
Allegany County, Association of Erie County Governments, Broome County, Cattaraugus County, Cayuga County, Chemung County, Chenango County, Chautauqua County, Chemung County, Clinton County, Columbia County, Cortland County, Delaware County, Dutchess County, Erie County, Fulton County, Genesee County, Greene County, Hamilton County, Herkimer County, Jefferson County, Lewis County, Livingston County, Madison County, Monroe County, Montgomery County, Niagara County, Oneida County, Onondaga County, Ontario County, Orange County, Orleans County, Oswego County, Otsego County, Putnam County, NY Association of Counties, Rensselaer County, Rockland County, Saratoga County Saint Lawrence County, Schoharie County, Seneca County, Schuyler County, Steuben County, Sullivan County, Tioga County, Ulster County, Warren County, Washington County, Wayne County, Wyoming County, Yates County
Towns:
City of Ogdensburg, Town of Cambridge, Town of Chester, Town of Colden, Town of Deerpark, Town of Harrisburg, Town of Hoosick, Town of Indian Lake , Town of Libson, Town of Linclaen, Town of Neversink, Town of Riga, Town of Saratoga, Town of Sempronius, Town of Shandaken, Town of Truxton, Town of Union Vale
Law Enforcement
Dutchess County Deputy Sheriffs PBA, Erie County Sheriff’s PBA, Greene County Sheriff, NY State Sheriffs’ Association, Saratoga County Sheriff’s Association, Schuyler County Sheriff, Steuben County Deputy Sheriff’s Association
Misc
New York State Association of County Clerks [passed]
Association of Erie County Governments [pending]
NY Association of Counties [passed]
NYS Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Directors [memo]