Happy Anniversary!

Did you miss all the celebrations on the one year anniversary of NY State’s implementing a background check and tax on ammo?

You did!

Here’s a little refresher.

From the New York State Police (NYSP) web site

“New York State's gun laws are designed to prevent criminals and those who threaten to harm themselves or others from buying or possessing guns, cracks down on illegal guns, and bans only the most dangerous assault weapons.”

No mention of ammo.

 From the FBI’s “Firearms Checks (NICS)” page:

“When a person tries to buy a firearm, the seller, known as a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL), contacts NICS electronically or by phone. The prospective buyer fills out the ATF form, and the FFL relays that information to the NICS. The NICS staff performs a background check on the buyer. That background check verifies the buyer does not have a criminal record or isn’t otherwise ineligible to purchase or own a firearm.”

No mention of ammunition checks by NICS.

Ammunition is not mentioned in the Department of Justice’s NICS rules for Point of Contacts.  (New York is now a “Point of Contact” state.)

Nothing about ammo in “Public Law 110–180, An Act To improve the National Instant Criminal Background Check System” also called the “Fix NICS Act”

It is reported that during an FBI/ATF Townhall at the 2024 SHOT Show, NICS Section Chief Trudy Ford explained that using the NICS system for ammunition background checks was not an approved use of the NICS system

It seems clear that NICS cannot be used for purposes for which it is not federally authorized; like background checks on ammo purchases!

But, in a court filing, Attorney Paloma Capanna wrote:

“NYSP employees are manually entering individual ammunition background check data from their new system, by hand, into the federal FBI-NICS system in violation of Title 28 Code of Federal Regulations §25.11.”  (Emphasis added.)

Capanna continued: “28 CFR §25.11(b)(2) prohibits a state, expressly, from misuse of the FBI-NICS system for any purpose outside the federally-mandated firearms background check.” 

It seems that the NYSP are violating federal regulations and the FBI are aiding and abetting them when the NYSP use the NICS system to do background checks on ammunition.  (Say it aint so, Merrick Garland and Kathy Hochul!)

How could this blatant violation of the law happen?

David Codrea tried to find out how, using the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)  He submitted a FOIA request “to the FBI in March for documents and records to clarify authority and determine decision-making (and decision-makers) authorizing the use of NICS for New York State ammunition background checks.”

Codrea’s interpretation of the FBI’s two responses: “We’re not going to tell you. Deal with it.”

Codrea has now sent a letter requesting help to the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability.  Theoretically, they have more influence – if they choose to use it.

The FBI has delegated power to itself that was not passed by Congress and the FBI refuses to provide information about it, in violation of another law passed by Congress.  The Swamp is alive and well in D.C. under the current administration!

And Donald Trump is a threat to Democracy?

You Said What?

In an interview with Hillary Clinton, CNBC’s Rachel Maddow brought up recent actions taken by the Biden-Harris Justice and State Departments against Russians who were allegedly pushing pro-Russian propaganda.

Hillary Clinton replied: “…we are not going to let adversaries, whether it is Russia, China, Iran, or anybody else, basically try to influence Americans as to how we should vote in picking our leaders.”

Then Clinton went further.  “I also think there are Americans who are engaged in this kind of propaganda, and whether they should be civilly or even in some cases, criminally charged, is something that would be a better deterrence.” (Emphasis added.)

In 2022, federal election regulators fined Hillary Clinton’s 2016 Presidential Campaign and the Democratic National Committee for not properly disclosing the money they spent on controversial opposition research that led to the Steele Trump-Russia dossier.  The money flowed from Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign to law firm Perkins Coie LLC, to the research company Fusion GPS, and then ultimately to Christopher Steele, who got $168,000 for writing the dossier which said Trump conspired with the Kremlin to win the 2016 election.

Lock her up?

In a visit to Pittsburg, Kamala Harris said, "It's time to turn the page on the divisiveness. It's time to bring our country together, chart a new way forward…A lot of what I think is happening…is that people are exhausted about the division and the attempts to kind of divide us as Americans."

While in Pittsburg calling for an end to divisiveness, Kamala Harris made a campaign stop at Penzeys Spices - which is known to openly discriminate against Republicans. It has an “About Republicans" page on their business’ website with an 842-word essay bashing Republicans.  Some of their rhetoric: “…we’re done pretending the Republican Party’s embrace of cruelty, racism, Covid lies, climate change denial, and threats to democracy are anything other than the risks they legitimately are. If you need us to pretend you are not creating the hurt you are creating in order for you to continue to be our customer, I’m sad to say you might be happier elsewhere.”

In 2022, Penzeys Spices’ CEO Bill Penzey wanted to rename Martin Luther King Jr. Day as "Republicans Are Racist Weekend!"

“…turn the page on divisiveness,” didn’t last a full day!

Per the State Bar of California’s web site: “Taking the attorney's oath is not just a ritual. It is required for admission to practice law in California pursuant to California Business and Professions Code section 6067.”

The oath says: “I solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States…”

While serving as San Francisco District Attorney in 2007, Kamala Harris spoke about a San Francisco law she sponsored that was ultimately signed into law by then San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom.  She said, “…just because you legally possess a gun in the sanctity of your locked home doesn't mean that we're not going to walk into that home and check to see if you're being responsible and safe in the way you conduct your affairs.” *

Amendment IV of the U S Constitution says: “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause…”

Did Harris skip that class on the 4th Amendment in law school? 

But Donald Trump is the threat to democracy!

By the way, the presidential oath of office goes: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

Can gun owners expect Harris to follow that oath when dealing with the 2nd Amendment just as she followed the California attorney’s oath?

* ttps://www.yahoo.com/news/kamala-harris-once-said-police-133749431.html

Judgement Day – November 5^th, 2024  by Richard Rossi

This goes way beyond political affiliation.  For New York citizens, Judgement Day is November 5th. Ballot proposition 1 (ERA) is on the November ballot.

This election is critical to our Rights & Freedoms and maintaining our Second Amendment protected rights. This might seem like a small issue considering that we have a President to elect this year.  But it‘s not!

This proposition will change our NYS Constitution. If passed, the impact of this Constitutional Amendment on NYS Citizens will be felt for decades.  As gun owners, we must also be responsible Law-abiding citizens and fight to keep all our Rights under our Bill of Rights. 

Hopefully by now you have heard of the Ballot Proposition 1 to amend our New York State Constitution ("Equal Rights Amendment") which will be on the reverse side of your ballot.   The ballot wording seems harmless.  Who is not in favor of equal rights for all?  However, it is a wolf in sheep's clothing! 

First - let's clear the air on all the Abortion misinformation that is circulating. There is no truth to it, at all!  Abortion is already legal in New York, with some of the most far-reaching protections in the country and there is no significant movement to change that. Given these protections, adding abortion rights to the state constitution is redundant. The laws already ensure comprehensive access and protection for abortion services.

A more appropriate and fitting name for this proposition would be “THE PARENT'S REPLACEMENT ACT”.   If this ballot amendment is passed, will it destroy your Parental Rights?  Let’s look closer.

The 5 KEY-TAKE-AWAY points

The New York State government could have more authority than parents in making medical and other important decisions for children.
Children under the age of 18 could have the right to irreversible surgical and nonsurgical transgender procedures without parental notice or approval.
Schools could be banned from disclosing to parents that their children are becoming transgender.
Biological males could be allowed to compete against biological females in school sports without restrictions.
Protections for churches and other religious organizations and non-profits could be eroded regarding beliefs that run contrary to newly-created ‘Rights’ in Prop One.

Take a moment and ask yourself these questions about the proposition?

What does it mean to be able to “discriminate” based on things like age and gender identity and what some possible legal ramifications might be? 

Should the New York State government have more authority than parents in making medical and other important decisions for children? 

Should minors have the right to irreversible surgical and non-surgical transgender procedures without parental notice or consent? 

Should biological males be allowed to compete in female school sports without restrictions? 

Should laws that determine the legal age to purchase and/or consume alcohol or cannabis be weakened?

Should statutory rape laws that protect against sex with minors be weakened? 

Can you be accused of discrimination by voicing your "Free Speech" Rights and speaking against these gender related issues!

The future of our children hangs in the balance.

It is you - the voters – who will decide on whether Proposition 1 will be passed on election day.

For more information visit The Coalition to Protect Kids - New York.

A one minute video demonstrating Kamala's views on the 2nd Amendment (Video)

Kamala on the 2nd Amendment

This Election and the Second Amendment  by Renée Barchitta

VP Kamala Harris is a leader in the Biden Administration on gun policy and oversees the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention. Harris’s policies to reduce “Gun Violence” are supported by many of the nation’s influential anti 2nd Amendment groups  such as Giffords and Bloomberg.

 Harris stated, “We, who believe that every person should have the freedom to live safe from the terror of ‘Gun Violence,’ will finally pass red flag laws, universal background checks, and an assault weapons ban.”

“In 2008, …Harris led a group of prosecutors that unsuccessfully tried to convince the US Supreme Court to reject a broad right to gun ownership…” 

In 2010 Harris was elected California Attorney General and continued pushing for stricter gun laws.

From 2017 to 2021, U S Senator Harris co-sponsored bills: for universal background checks; to ban “assault weapons;” and increase oversight of licensed gun dealers.

VP candidate Tim Walz originally got an “A” rating from the NRA which was subsequently changed to an “F” rating, after he flip-flopped. Randy Kozuch, chairman of the NRA Political Victory Fund, said Walz is a "political chameleon — changing his positions to further his own personal agenda…In Congress, Walz purported to be a friend of gun owners to receive their support in his rural Minnesota district…Once he had his eyes set on other offices, he sold out law-abiding Minnesotans and promoted a radical gun control agenda…Kamala Harris and Tim Walz cannot be trusted to defend freedom and our constitutional rights." https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tim-walz-on-gun-control/

As Governor, Walz signed into law “…universal background checks, a red flag law, and one of the largest investments in community-based violence prevention programs of any state to date.” https://www.thetrace.org/2024/07/kamala-harris-guns-violence-election/

A good example of Kamala Harris’ ineffective ideas about the 2nd Amendment is in her response to the Parkland shooting. 

The Parkland high school shooting was a mass shooting on February 14, 2018. 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz opened fire on students and staff at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in the city of Parkland, Florida, killing 17 people and injuring 17 others.

During Harris’s visit, after the shooting, the VP announced her solution to “school gun violence;” the creation of a National Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) Resource Center, funded by the DOJ and run by the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions.  It would promote states’ passing Red Flag / ERPO laws, and use Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) funding to help implement laws already enacted.  

But the Red Flag Law, if it had been enacted in Florida, would not have stopped Nicholas Cruz from killing 17 people, thanks to the federal government’s “Promise Program.”

Why? 

The ‘Promise Program,’ instituted by President Obama and Attorney General Holder, was to stop what Obama described as the school to prison pipeline for Black and Hispanic youth. “The Broward Co. School District (Majority Stoneman Douglas HS) was awarded $54 million in grants to institute the ‘Promise Program.”  The school’s discipline policy was changed to stop suspensions / expulsions and arrests.                                                                                                                                                                   

The Broward County Sheriff’s Department received 45 complaints/concerns about weapons, violent behavior and threats relating to Nicholas Cruz or his brother from 2008 to 2017 - long before the shootings at the High School. Cruz also made a suicide attempt and a video stating that he could become a school shooter. School officials, law enforcement, and the FBI had been notified about Cruz’s behavior.

Even without Red Flag laws, police officers could still remove a weapon when there was imminent danger or a court order.  But under the Promise Program, no judicial action was taken against Cruz so there was no basis for action. 

It is not a stretch to say the Promise Program caused 17 deaths, because Cruz was never arrested and he could legally purchase a firearm.

Kamala Harris proposed a law which would have been ineffective because of another federal law.

"Trading freedoms for safety promises is a risky proposition, as freedoms once surrendered are seldom returned without extensive struggle.” Jews For The Preservation of Firearms Ownership (jpfo)

What does the 2024 Presidential Election Mean for Gun Rights and Gun Control?  by John Elwood

The Republican nominee for President is former President Donald Trump.  During the run up to the 2016 presidential election, the National Rifle Association (NRA) endorsed Donald Trump on May 20, 2016.  He was endorse again in 2020 and, unsurprisingly, the NRA endorsed former President Donald Trump again on May 19, 2024, delivering Trump his third consecutive presidential endorsement.

What are former President Trump’s positions toward guns? 

Donald Trump has generally been aligned with pro-Second Amendment views.  During his political career, he has supported the rights of individuals to own and carry firearms, often emphasizing the importance of the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution. 

Some key positions of his stance include opposition to gun control measures such as universal background checks.  Former President Trump believes there would be fewer casualties of mass shootings if potential victims had guns. Trump suggested addressing gun violence through improving mental health services rather than implementing more restrictive gun laws.  Finally, Trump promoted the idea of arming teachers and enhancing school security to prevent school shootings, rather than imposing stricter gun control measures. 

In a speech to the NRA, Trump vowed to protect gun owners’ rights saying, “we need it for safety because the bad guys aren’t giving up their guns.“  Also claiming Biden “is coming for your guns.” 

The Democratic nominee for President of the United States is Vice President Kamala Harris.  Harris was nominated after President Biden dropped out of the 2024 race against former President Donald Trump.  Harris is an extension of Biden when it comes to gun rights. 

Prior to serving as President Biden’s Vice President, Kamala Harris was a Senator from California from 2017-2021.  In 2017, Harris was rated the third most liberal senator after Senators Elizabeth Warren and New York’s Kirsten Gillibrand.  In 2018 Harris was rated the second most liberal senator behind Senator Warren, from Massachusetts. In 2019, Senator Harris was labeled the most liberal senator in the United State Senate.  You may notice a pattern!

What is Kamala’s policy toward guns?   Harris advocates for a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.  She believes that limiting the size of magazines can help reduce the lethality of guns and decrease the potential for mass shootings.  Harris supports requiring universal background checks for all gun sales including private transactions and those at gun shows.  Harris also believes implementing red flag laws, which allow for the temporary removal, without due process, of firearms from individuals deemed a threat to themselves and others, is a good idea.

The two political parties could not be farther apart from their positions on guns, making the choice easy for those that are pro or anti 2nd Amendment. 

If you value the Second Amendment, the choice is clearly Donald Trump. 

If you favor losing your Second Amendment protected rights, the choice is Kamala Harris!

To all gun owners, please get out and VOTE during the presidential election.  Support the Second Amendment and YOUR right to keep and bear arms.

Getting Gun Owners to vote:  Five simple things  by Stephen M. Dallas

How often, after yet-another gun control law passes or an anti-gun politician gets elected, do we hear “There’s more than enough gun owners in our state to defeat the gun-grabbers at the polls if they would just vote”?  More often than we’d like.

This problem isn’t limited to gun owners. In a typical presidential election year, no more than 60 percent of the voting-eligible population chooses to participate. Only about 40 percent vote during the midterms. And turnout in local elections tends to be even lower than in federal and statewide elections.

“Get Out the Vote,” or GOTV efforts can increase gun owner turnout during elections.  A nonprofit educational organization, such as SCOPE, may engage in GOTV efforts so long as it is nonpartisan in nature. According to the IRS, if a voter registration drive or a GOTV effort is done in an educational manner without favoring or opposing a candidate or having the effect of favoring or opposing a candidate, a nonprofit can conduct GOTV activities.

Here are five simple things that SCOPE members can do to encourage more gun owners to vote.

1.          Register Voters.    Get gun owners on the voter lists.

A study from Vote4America has revealed that there are 10 million gun owners and hunters in the United States who are not registered to vote.

Gun owners can’t vote if they aren’t registered.   Non-partisan groups can go out and register new voters.  

Finding new pro-2A voters depends on where you look. For example, in Bucks County, PA, for the first time since 2007, there are now more registered Republicans than Democrats.  This is the result of conservative activist Scott Presler.   Presler and his Early Vote Action went to gun shows in the state.  They registered brand new voters, new citizens, young voters and others.   What worked with Pennsylvania gun owners can work in New York!

Other places where 2A-voters might be located are sportsmen’s clubs, gun stores, American Legion posts and VFWs.   Bring voter registration forms, ask if you can leave them for the patrons.  Be respectful but don’t assume these organizations won’t encourage GOTV.  For example, the American Legion's "Get Out the Vote" program encourages all Americans to register and vote in all elections. “Legionnaires, posts, districts and departments are encouraged to fully involve themselves in the electoral process by serving as poll volunteers, poll workers and by encouraging and assisting others to register and vote” (https://www.legion.org/vote/about).   Don’t forget churches either.   The First Liberty Institute provides tips on how to successfully host a successful church-voter registration drive (https://downloads.frc.org/EF/EF10H53.pdf).  Many of their steps could be easily adapted for other locations where gun owners may be found.

Act quickly!  New York’s voter registration deadlines this year are between October 21 and October 26.  For more information, check with your local Board of Elections or the NYS Board of Elections website (https://elections.ny.gov/registration-and-voting-deadlines).

2.          Bank the vote.  Encourage (legal) mail-in voting, absentee voting and early voting.    

Mail-in and absentee ballots. A New York law allowing all registered voters to cast their ballots by mail was upheld in August by the state’s highest court.  The decision means that the millions of New Yorkers (including gun owners) eligible to vote in the November 5 election will be able to cast ballots by mail if they wish — something that only a handful of people could do before.

This means any registered New York voter may apply for a mail-in ballot. They can apply online (https://elections.ny.gov/request-ballot), in person at their local election office, or by designating another person to deliver their application to the local election office for them.

Mail-in ballot applications are due 10 days before the election. Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by Election Day or submitted in person by 9pm on Election Day to the County Board of Elections Office or polling site.

Certain New Yorkers are eligible to apply for an absentee ballot. The form to apply is different than, but the places to apply are the same as for mail-in ballots, and the ballot can be returned using the same methods as early mail voters.

Early voting.  Gun owners can also be encouraged to vote in-person via early voting.   Early voting is just like voting on Election Day. Early voters privately mark and scan their ballot at a polling place. Early voting results are counted, tabulated and included in election night totals.  There is no requirement to apply for early voting.  The process is completely walk-in.

Early voting for the general election is Saturday, October 26 through Sunday, November 3. Voters may visit any of their assigned Early Voting Centers in their county, except in New York City, where voters are assigned to one early voting site.  To find each county’s early voting locations, click here: https://voterlookup.elections.ny.gov.  Early voting may be an especially attractive process in upstate New York, where even early November weather can be unpredictable, and voters may have difficulty making it to the polls on Election Day.   Early voting can also be a guard against other unexpected events that might arise on Election Day, from family obligations to workplace emergencies.

3.          Get voters to the polls.   Make that final push. 

Whether it’s absentee, mail-in, early voting or Election Day voting, there are various ways that non-profits can help get gun owners to polls, often through local sportsmen’s clubs, veterans or churches or similar 2A-friendly groups:

• Networking.  Use existing phone lists, email, mail, and newsletter distribution lists to share a final reminder about Election Day with gun-friendly groups’ members and make a push for them to get out and vote.  The message can be as simple as:

• “Remember, November 5 is Election Day! Do not forget to vote!”

• Become a  poll worker.  Poll workers sign in and process voters, demonstrate voting procedures to voters and assist voters if requested. In order to be eligible to serve as a poll worker, you must be a New York State registered voter.  Poll workers get paid for training and each day they work.  Sign up with your local board of election here: https://elections.ny.gov/form/become-a-poll-worker.

• Provide Rides to the Polls. Helping gun owners get to the polls is a great way to ensure that they vote.  We can do this on our own or in conjunction with others. Here are some things to do to create a successful strategy:

• Before Election Day, tell people that you will be offering rides to the polls on Election Day, and let them know that sign-ups are required. (Note that there will probably still be last minute requests and changes, especially if the weather conditions are poor.)

• Determine whether you will lead the effort or work with others.

• Establish how many cars, vans, and people will be involved/available.

• Train volunteers to ensure they remain nonpartisan during their interaction with the voters they transport (such as not asking them whom they are going to vote for).

• Divide Election Day into two-hour blocks of time (or more, depending on capacity).

• Have someone act as “dispatcher” to organize drivers and the requests for transportation that come in from voters.

“Today is Election Day! If you have questions about your polling place or the hours for voting, call 1-866-Our-Vote (1-866-687-8683) or visit www.vote411.org for information.”

“Your vote counts. Your vote matters. Support your rights as a gun owner and vote today!”

4.          Fight voter fraud with increased turn out.  There’s strength in numbers.

It is important to guard against voter fraud.   But we can’t let concerns about it depress pro-2A voter turnout. As explained by Charles ‘Kip’ Kiplinger, the vice president of the North Central Alabama Republican Assembly:

Continually emphasizing a rigged system and the potential for manipulated votes risks conveying the message that individual votes don't matter. This narrative plays into the hands of the opposition, who capitalize on disillusionment to drive down voter turnout for the other side.  

We need to assure voters that even if there were irregularities, the best way to counteract them is to participate in the democratic process.

It's crucial to emphasize that, with enough votes, any algorithmic interference becomes inconsequential. There is, and always will be, strength in numbers.

In other words, the best way to fight potential voter fraud is to get so many people on “our side” to vote that it becomes impossible for “the other side” to cheat in any meaningful way!

5.          Don’t delay. Start today!

GOTV is an opportunity to mobilize gun owners in support of the Second Amendment.  We have the power to make a real impact, so don’t hesitate to start planning and implementing a strategy today!

While illegal migration at the U.S.-Mexico border continues to dominate election year politics, the country's northern border with Canada is also confronting a record-breaking surge in unlawful crossings.

More than 12,200 people were apprehended crossing illegally into the U.S. from Canada in 2023, a big jump from the 3,578 arrested the previous year, The New York Times reported. Through the first four months of fiscal year 2024, the Border Patrol apprehended 4,772 people between ports of entry That’s up from 2,229 apprehensions in the first four months of fiscal year 2023.

Of course, the southern border dwarfs these numbers, where its estimated 10 million illegals (apprehensions and got aways) have crossed since Biden and Harris took office.

Anything being done to discourage this invasion?  Just the opposite in California!

The Democrat-controlled California Legislature has passed a bill which would grant undocumented immigrants access to the state’s taxpayer-funded home loan program, which provides up to $150,000 in down payment assistance for eligible first-time home buyers. 

California Republicans are urging Governor Newsom to veto the measure, arguing that the bill will incentivize illegal immigration. (Ya think!)  Newsom has until September 30th to make a decision on whether he will sign the bill into law. 

Some quotes which summarize the situation:

“I didn’t know it was possible to make the border crisis and the housing crisis worse with just one vote, but Democrats found a way…Giving taxpayer-funded housing subsidies to illegal immigrants will drive costs even higher and encourage more chaos at the border.”

Migrants crossing the border illegally “look to California’s current policies like a giant welcome sign…Welcome to California, where illegal immigrants get free healthcare, free food, and now a free home with 0% down. “This is not rocket science. If you’re giving out free stuff, more people are going to come.”

Back in February, Representative Claudia Tenney recognized the situation and pointed to data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection that showed a majority of people on the terrorist watchlist who crossed into the U.S. illegally last year did so along the northern border.  “We know there are going to be terror cells and people who are going to do harm to the American people are coming across that border," she said in an interview with Fox.

After inviting this illegal invasion and seeing the results rejected by the majority of Americans, Kamala Harris and the Democrats are now saying they will deal with illegal immigration.  Which reminds me of a story Ronald Reagan told.

A woman was getting married for the fourth time and went shopping for a wedding dress.

She picked out a white dress and the saleslady pointed out that white is usually reserved for first time brides who have not…you know…

The bride to be responded that she still qualified. 

My first husband died of a heart attack in the limo going to the reception.

My second husband and I got into a terrible fight in the limo and we immediately divorced.

My third husband was a Democrat and all he did was sit on the end of the bed and tell me how good it was going to be.

Reagan was a man for all ages and his story is as true today as in the 1980’s. 

If 1% of the 10 million illegals were criminals, that is 100,000 more criminals running loose in the U S A.

If 1/10^th of 1% are criminals, that is 10,000 more criminals running loose in the U.S.A.

10,000 criminals, equally divided, gives us 200 would be murderers / rapists / thieves in NY State.

On September 11^th 2002, nineteen aliens (19) killed 3,000 Americans.

How are we to protect ourselves?

Democrat policies in California, New York and D.C. are to take away the rights of Americans to defend themselves; those protected by the 2^nd Amendment. 

In addition to the danger posed by criminal aliens, the Democrats have also pushed defund the police policies, reformed bail laws and decriminalized certain crimes.  The ability to personally defund oneself and one’s loved ones are even more vital to us, today. 

We used to say, “When the police are minutes away, help is only 1,500 feet per second away.”

That has been amended to say, “When the police might be hours away, help is only 1,500 feet per second away.”

Remember how vital our 2^nd Amendment rights have become when you vote.

Non NY Residents Can Apply for a NYC Pistol Permit

About two weeks ago, there were a few articles about an ‘Emergency Rule’ in New York City allowing non-New York State residents to apply for a pistol permit in NY City.  The stories fell far short of being fully informative and left many people confused.  SCOPE read the actual Emergency Rule* and the following is a summary.

On August 6th, NY City Mayor Adams signed the NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF EMERGENCY RULES RELATING TO NON RESIDENT APPLICANTS FOR CARRY LICENSES AND TO PURCHASE AND REGISTRATION AUTHORIZATIONS.  (Emphasis added.) The Emergency Rules are effective immediately, but only for 60 days while the NY Police Department develops permanent rules.

First, a brief history:

On June 23, 2022, the United States Supreme Court ruled in N.Y. State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen that New York State’s “proper cause” requirement for obtaining a concealed carry firearm license was an unconstitutional restriction on an individual’s 2nd Amendment right to bear arms.

On July 1, 2022, New York State enacted new statewide licensing standards removing the “proper cause” standard and adding additional criteria, effective September 1, 2022, for carry license applicants. (The ill named Concealed Carry Improvement Act.)

In addition, New York City says it revised its licensing regulations to remain consistent with case law and continues to do so in response to evolving Second Amendment cases, including the Supreme Court’s decision in United States v. Rahimi.

2024 NYPD rules did not contain formal procedures for applicants who do not reside in New York State, are not principally employed within New York City, and do not have their principal place of business in New York City.

Which brings us to today. 

Mayor Adams believes an Emergency Order is needed, two years later!  Sounds fishy!  (With apologies to fish.)

The order justifies itself by the following statement: Delaying implementation of these additional rules would severely impede New York City’s ability to effectively and legally regulate handgun ownership within its jurisdiction.

That doesn’t begin to explain the sudden emergency, after two years, to permit non-New York State residents who are not principally employed within New York City to apply for a pistol permit in NY City.

And what is that add on about rules for “Purchase and Registration Authorizations”

Per the order:  Section 5-25 of Title 38 of the Rules of the City of New York, relating to handgun acquisition requirements is REPEALED, and a new section 5-25 is added. In addition to any applicable federal or state requirements, the following procedures apply to all licensees seeking to acquire and register a handgun to one or more of their licenses

No person shall acquire a firearm if such person has acquired a firearm within the previous ninety (90) days

Any licensee who obtains a handgun must purchase or obtain a safety locking device at the time of acquisition of such handgun,

A licensee may not take possession of a handgun without prior written authorization from the Division Head, License Division.

A licensee may not take possession of a handgun before it has been inspected by License Division personnel and entered on the license.

The number of handguns allowed under each type of handgun license is limited to 1 or 2.

Buried in the non-resident Emergency Rules are more anti-2A rules which have nothing to do with non-residents. 

Sneaky.  But could there be even more that is concerning NY City’s anti-2A leadership?

On August 24^th it was reported that the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF), the California Rifle & Pistol Association, Gun Owners of America, Gun Owners Foundation, Gun Owners of California and seven private citizens won a victory when a federal judge granted a preliminary injunction against California’s ban on non-resident concealed carry.  (The state has 21 days to file a response.)

In her decision, Judge Garnett observed, “the State bears the burden of showing whether California’s residency requirements for a CCW license is ‘consistent with the Nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation…the State has not carried its burden at this stage to show that the limitation of CCW licenses to California residents is part of a historical tradition of this Nation.”

Could this be the emergency?

Did NY City suspect that the courts would rule against California and issue an opening salvo against non-resident concealed carry as being unconstitutional under “Bruen”.  The same thing that NY City says it is addressing in its Emergency Rules - which only serve to make the rules more bureaucratic.  Non-NYS residents can apply for a permit but don’t hold your breath while the anti-2A bureaucracy in NY City buries you in rules, regulations, delays and disinterest under the Emergency Rules. 

When faced with losing a court case, in the past, both NY City and State have tried to moot the case by tweaking the law.  Their changes may not hold up under judicial scrutiny but that’s not the point.  Forcing 2A plaintiffs to spend years and hundreds of thousands of dollars on lawsuits - that’s the point.

Statement of Basis and Purpose of Emergency Rule

PRESS AND PROTESTS SHOULD CHALLENGE DEM CRIME REFORMS  - by Bob Lonsberry 2024

When you call the police, they come.

But now the police have called us, and we should come.

On Friday, in the lobby of the Public Safety Building, Chief Dave Smith of the Rochester Police Department lingered somewhere between rage and heartbreak, thundering in exasperation and emotional fatigue about one more crime and one more death and one more illustration of the fact the laws and lawmakers of the state of New York are on the side of the criminals.

This involved Thomas Chase, a 92-year-old retired college professor who spent the last 30 years as a volunteer piano player at a nursing home. Chief Smith leaned into the wreckage of Mr. Chase’s car on Thursday, his lifeblood still flowing from his shattered body, and recited the Lord’s Prayer as a service at his passing.

Mr. Chase’s car had been hit by a 17-year-old blowing like hell down East Avenue in a stolen Kia.

It was the 17-year-old and two confederates and 10 minutes before they had been one side of a shootout on Maria Street. Between then and the moment of impact there had been a car change – from one stolen Kia to another – an attempt to ram a police officer, and the headlong sprint away from the screaming blue and whites.

And then the crash into a sainted elderly man the next town over.

And that was pretty sad. But, with more than 30 years on the job, Chief Smith has seen dead people before. And with his Christian faith and the cross on his uniform denoting his chaplain training, he’s prayed for victims before.

But this was different.

Because this vehicular homicide had so many accomplices. The governor, the speaker, the majority leader, Harry Bronson, Jeremy Cooney, Samra Brouk, Jen Lunsford, Demond Meeks, Sarah Clark, and all their co-conspirators in the state capital. All have blood on their hands. All the way to their elbows. They had a part in killing Thomas Chase, and in victimizing hundreds of others who were slain, raped, beaten or robbed by criminals freed and empowered by the “criminal-justice reforms” of the Democratic Party.

That 17-year-old? The one behind the wheel and behind the crime? He is a parolee – already, at 17 – who was arrested a dozen times in Rochester alone last year for stealing cars and smashing them into businesses to steal and loot. His most recent arrest was for another stolen car in the Buffalo area four weeks ago.

He has been arrested over and over and over by the police, and turned loose over and over and over by the politicians. Raise the Age, a specific piece of legislation pushed by the governor, speaker, majority leader and every member of the local Democratic delegation to the state legislature, removed him as a juvenile from any sort of real accountability. Bail Reform, a specific piece of legislation pushed by the governor, speaker, majority leader and every member of the local Democratic delegation to the state legislature, turned him loose repeatedly with nothing more than an appearance ticket. Less is More, a specific piece of legislation pushed by the governor, speaker, majority leader and every member of the local Democratic delegation to the state legislature, made it virtually impossible for his parole to be violated, even when he was charged with subsequent felony crimes.

And so he was free.

The politicians set him free.

To get in a shootout on Maria Street, to almost smash into a cop, to kill a kindly retired professor in Brighton.

And Chief Smith stood there on Friday in the lobby of the Public Safety Building fit to be tied.

He was calling for help.

And it’s our time to answer.

The direct moral culpability of specific local and state politicians must be acknowledged and protested – by the people and the press.

Dog-and-pony show appearances in the Rochester region by the governor, speaker and majority leader should be protested loudly. Let every ribbon cutting, airport press conference and glory-seeking stop by any member of this troika of lawlessness be met with pickets and protests.

And let the local press stop being lapdogs for politicians who treat them like PR functionaries. At every appearance by visiting office holders, and at every press event or public appearance of Jeremy Cooney, Samra Brouk, Harry Bronson, Demond Meeks, Jen Lunsford and Sarah Clark, let local reporters have the courage to make every question be about criminal-justice reform. If the people, sheriff, chiefs, district attorney and activists decry the carnage imposed by these reforms, why are reporters not persistent in pressing those in power on the issue?

If the press is to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable, no one is more comfortable, powerful, privileged or elite in this community than those who have voted to support the laws which killed Thomas Chase and others across Rochester.

This is not a partisan undertaking – math and mail-ins assure that Democrats will win every countywide and state legislative election in Monroe County for generations to come – so the press wouldn’t be hurting the Democratic Party, with which it is apparently allied, but it would be helping the people of Rochester, which whom it should be allied.

It’s time to go Ida Tarbell and Jacob Riis on this subject. Neglect by the elites – through poisonous legislation – victimizes the people of Rochester, who are disproportionately poor and non-white. Somebody should stand up for them.

And somebody should answer the call of the police.

They did their job. Over and over and over. And Thomas Chase still ended up dead.

It’s time to answer the call.

Protest all visits of senior state officials to Rochester, and make every public appearance by Democratic state legislators a press conference on criminal-justice reforms.

It’s time all of us – the people and the press – were fit to be tied.