Gov. Andrew Cuomo defended the state’s gun-control law today as about 5,000 gun-rights activists protested at the Capitol.
Speaking to reporters after an event in Brooklyn, Cuomo said he understands that gun-control is a controversial issue. But he said the law was needed as gun violence has plagued the nation for decades, particularly over the past few months.
He said polls have shown that nearly 70 percent of New Yorkers support the law, saying the 30 percent are the vocal minority. A Siena College poll Feb. 4 showed that 65 percent of voters supported the law.
“I’m very proud that this state finally made progress with a comprehensive bill, but an intelligent bill,” Cuomo said. “I am gun owner. This is not about taking anyone’s gun. This is not about saying there is no such thing as the Second Amendment.”
Cuomo said the state isn’t out to take away the guns of lawful owners. ”
People think that government is going to come and literally take their guns away. That’s not what it’s about, but it is a reasonable approach that basically keeps guns out of the hands of criminals and people who are mentally ill. That’s what this is,” he continued.
Cuomo added, “I’m proud of the law. I’m proud of what we did. I believe it will literally save lives. I believe it’s long overdue. To the extent there’s controversy on the issue, there has been for decades, and that’s to be expected.”
Cuomo reiterated that the state may exempt film productions from the assault-weapons ban, but said it’s not really an issue because he doesn’t believe real guns with ammunition are used on set.
“A question has come up: Can you use an assault weapon in filing a movie in New York? I believe the answer is yes because there not real guns that they are using in a movie. They are fake guns with blanks,” he said.
7 Comments
There were between 12,000 and 15,000 people there in Albany – all pro-gun advocates.
Is Cuomo so proud that he didn’t have the common sense to exclude law enforcement from the clip law? How stupid. Has his new law been amended yet to exclude law enforcemnt yet? If not why not?
This law will do nothing to reduce people killing other people with any type of gun.
Proud of his trampling democracy and the Constitution? He’s proud of how important he believes he is. The way he handled this was sleazy-regardless of the issue. He’s forgotten who he works for.
Someone should tell Mr. Cuomo that film companies do use real guns with blanks. If they used fake guns, there would be no need for an exception because the SAFE act only covers actual firearms. So what Mr. Cuomo is saying is that the State cannot trust you with an AR-15, but Charlie Sheen, Lindsay Lohan, or or any other drug addicted criminal who happens to be an actor can be trusted with one if he is making a movie or TV show.
http://www.thecrow.info/accident.htm
It certainly was not a fake gun that killed this actor.
One hundred million people across America have joined a boycott of New York as a result of the outrageous NY Safe Act. If there is any lesson to be learned from history, it is that unrelenting economic pressure will crack the will of even the most obtuse and entrenched of
politicians. Will New York’s Governor Cuomo crack? Yes—the only real question is, how long will he be able to hold out?
NYSafeActBoycott
Here we have Cuomoism at work. Blatant disregard for the Constitution, liberty, and freedom by a small little tyrant. This is exactly what the British did to the colonists. They demanded their weapons of common ownership and self defense. If the small little guy could have gotten away with it he would demanded every weapon including a single shot shotgun and rifle. What a desgrace. It will cost many more lives than it could possible save. These style weapons were only used in just over 300 murders last year NATIONWIDE. They are used every day to save many more lives. Therefore he is actually causing a higher death rate of New Yorkers. The magazine ban included. He does not trust us, why should we trust him? The answer is obvious, we should not.