NY SAFE Act: Collateral Damage Rings Death Knell for Youth Marksmanship Programs

By Alan Chwick

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New York –-(Ammoland.com)- As the Managing Coach of the Freeport Junior Club (FJC) (www.FreeportJuniorClub.org) we rely on donations and fund-raising, as does other programs such as 4-H, Boy Scouts, Future Farmers of America, JROTC, Conservation Programs, etc. to sustain our program.

But most of all, we rely on manufacturers’ generosity in their Youth Purchase Programs.

In past years, we have utilized the Youth Purchase Programs of gun, accessory and ammunition manufacturers. But, the NY SAFE Act has done us in!

Not speaking for any other program, and looking at the prospects for the FJC only, without the ammo purchase programs, we are OUT OF BUSINESS.

First, a little FJC background:

  • Our program meets 24-28 Sundays a year from September to June.
  • We run from 2-5pm.
  • We have 90-100 youth members per year.
  • We have no limitation on ammo (.22LR, .177 Pellets and BBs) use.
  • We average 3000-5000 rounds of .22LR per session (i.e. per Sunday).
  • We use between 85,000 and 140,000 rounds annually.

As you can see, ammo is probably our largest expense and constant concern.

Well, one of the provisions of the NY SAFE Act deals with direct ammunition orders (Internet, mail order, etc.). Simply, as of March 2014, it is against the law to have ordered ammo sent in and delivered to private citizens, as a NICS-style Background Check from a dealer is required for the ammo purchases.

And, these Youth Purchase Programs are setup for direct delivery.

Here is where the death knell sounds. We, as a program, put in our order for ammo to our Youth Purchase Program that does ammunition. Below is their redacted response. Bare in mind, I can not blame them, except that they started the ban a bit early. I can understand their fear of a NYS law suit, and such.

——– Original Message ——–

Subject: SAFE Act foiled us

Date: Thu, 16 May 2013 14:23:40 +0000

From: REDACTED

To: AJChwick <[email protected]>

Alan-

We were ready to allocate you some .22 ammo, but our lawyers informed us the

SAFE act prevents us from making direct sales in the state of New York.

Sorry,

But under the new law we will not be able to work with New York youth

Programs directly at all.

NAME, COMPANY, CONTACT Information REDACTED

On an up-note, I have been informed by the New York State Police that this type of ammo transfer is considered a “donation,” and therefore outside of the bounds of the NY SAFE Act and thereby permissible. The officer involved, who is tasked with the interpretation of the NY SAFE Act, is willing to speak with the ammo company and to write a formal positive opinion on the matter. As of this writing though, the ammo company has yet to respond to my calls.

Whether the ammo company responds to us, or not, I must put the full weight of the blame, for the possible destruction of all NYS Youth Programs, on the NYS Governor and the NYS Legislature for creating this mess without even reading the bill before voting on it and making it law.

I personally hope that Governor Cuomo and the New York State Legislature are very proud of their foolish actions and what they have done and accomplished.

They have effectively DESTROYED Youth Marksmanship programs. To this loss, I must add the loss of state sales tax revenue, loss of Federal Conservation money from the Pittman–Robertson Act (a.k.a. The Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration of 1937), loss of businesses, loss of employment, loss of International Pistol practice & competition, the eventual loss of CMP Service Rifle competition, and much, much more.

I sarcastically add, “G_D BLESS THE PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF NEW YORK!”

Sincerely,
Alan Chwick, Managing Coach
Freeport Junior Program
www.FreeportJuniorClub.org
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Maxwell Bolan

WE MUST ALL STAND TOGETHER WITH ONE VOICE AND STOP DER COMMISAR COUMO FROM EVER REACHING THE WHITEHOUSE!! HE PUSHED THE UNSAFE ACT THROUGH TO GET POLITICAL FAVOR FROM THE LEFT TO BE A FRONT-RUNNER FOR THE WHITEHOUSE IN 2016. WE AS NEW YORKERS CARRY THE MOST WEIGHT AND THE LOUDEST VOICE TO OPPOSE HIM. I AM ASKING YOU ALL TO MAKE A SOLEM PLEDGE TO YOURSELF TO STOP HIS FUTURE WHITEHOUSE BID.

John Rambone

Cuomo is such a con artist. To make matters worse theres unofficial rumors that he knows he screwed up royally but can’t back peddle for the sake of getting re-elected. Slime bag.

Alan Chwick, Editor

To all here who have commented, please look for my newest Letter to the Editor titles “NY SAFE Act: From Death Knell To Grave Site at 1240FPS for NYS Youth Marksmanship Programs”

Sadly, the NYSP have dealt us a final blow!

William P.Berdini

Cuomo did not act alone. Dean Skelos is also to be blamed. The youth as well as adults will suffer for many years to come. Repeal by Cuomo will not happen. We can only hope that the Courts strike down the UNSAFE ACT soon.

Joe Potosky

The SAFE ACT ammunition law in regard to purchases does not take effect until 2014, if then, as NY State Police have not set up a system to perform background checks on individual ammunition purchases.

When it does, even skeet shooters buying a box of.410 ammo will be required to have a background check conducted on each transaction!

Bill Cosselmon

We know who “NOT” to vote for next election …

Big Tom

Quote from Federal to my email for ammunition for my summer youth program. “Thomas- We know the extremely high consumer demand in the consumer market is hurting youth programs, which is why we diverted 20 million rounds specifically to Boy Scouts, 4H Shooting sports and other youth programs last month. Unfortunately those 20 million rounds have all been allocated. The new gun laws in New York further complicate matters as we will no longer be able to sell directly to youth programs in the state because of the background check for ammunition requirements.” I have 25 kids this summer in… Read more »

Law Abiding

I truly hope the citizens of New York in this article have attended rallies, signed onto law suits against the State, signed petitions for repeal, or belong to organizations involved in directly trying to get this unconstitutional law repealed. We must stand up to big government and stop their tyrannical ways. No one does this for you and the people standing up need the support of the communities, as everyone has to understand it is about our Constitutional Rights. If big government can infringe on the only amendment that says “shall not be infringed” they can do the same with… Read more »

Lenny

This was Cuomo’s plan. To KILL the gun culture from the ground up. Stop the Kids from learning about guns and then slowly nobody will be left to appreciate what it is to be a free man.

Long Island Firearms

Programs like these are being directly affected by this new law. Its sad to see its directly affecting tomorrows future.

DrSique

And, just like during prohibition, some people are going to make a fortune on “black market” ammo smuggled into New York from states that still enjoy firearm freedoms. Cuomo’s approval dropped 17 points after he shoved this travesty through in the middle of the night, and with his lips flapping about how many bullets it takes “tah kill ah deeah”. While he ruined his chances at higher office, I only hope that New Yorkers have had enough of the douche bag to get rid of him in the next election.

jamie

How are you even going to manage to find 300-5000 rounds for one sunday much less for a whole year of .22LR.

Stu Strickler

The Governor knew exactly what he was doing when he pushed the UNSAFE act through. He hates firearms and their owners, unless they are “special” or the Police.

Parashooter

I was speaking with a Boy Scouts of America counselor a few nights ago, who was concerned that due to the ridiculous UNsafe act – that the BSA camp is now going to be having trouble getting new .22 rifles for the scouts to learn SAFETY and marksmanship… Due to the moronic new requirements for private transfers. (“ownership” having to be transferred when Council executives move on). As usual, the UNsafe act is ONLY affecting Law-Abiding-Citizens…