U.S.A. -(AmmoLand.com)- As the joke goes, the only profession with a lower approval rating than Congress is being a lawyer. A new report from the New York State Bar Association shows why that humor has legs.
This year has seen record-smashing firearm sales so far, with still nearly two months remaining. Data have shown increasing gun owner diversity, including an estimated almost 7 million first-time buyers. NYSBA’s “consensus” and “collaborative” report ignores the overwhelming reason people are buying guns. They’re concerned about their personal safety. Instead, the authors push for more restrictive laws. These policy recommendations, if adopted, would only further limit New Yorkers’ constitutional rights and do little to reduce crime.
Wishful Overreach VS. Reality
The NYSBA’s report executive summary begins, “The legal profession has a responsibility to use its legal expertise to promote changes in the law that promote the public good…and NYSBA believes lawyers have a special role to play in addressing gun violence in America to protect the rule of law and the federal and state constitutions.” (emphasis added). Never mind that “protecting the rule of law” as established by policymakers duly elected by voters and lobbying and pushing for changing the law are fundamentally polar opposite approaches to the law.
NYSBA President Scott M. Karson set the table for his group’s report, explaining that recommendations made are a guide for New York lawmakers to follow, and that the state’s bar association has a special role to play by leading state legislators – and other states – to enact the laws they want.
A sober examination would show the state’s gun control laws are failing. Violent crime spiked by 76 percent even as Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio slashed $1 billion in police funds in a city and state with among the strictest gun laws already. In the rest of the country, crime is falling. The FBI report shows crime continues to decline even as gun ownership grows to record highs.
A Gun Control Laundry List
The NYSBA’s grab bag of gun control items includes banning modern sporting rifles and any magazine capable of holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition. They’re likely aware that New York Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo already swung and missed on a standard capacity magazine ban as part of his 2013 NY SAFE Act midnight overreach. Even then, Gov. Cuomo was rebuffed twice on the magazine limit, first by a federal judge in New York and then again by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
Additional recommendations include criminalizing private firearm transfers, enacting unenforceable and unconstitutional firearm storage mandates, imposing poorly drafted “red flag” laws that deny Due Process and Second Amendment rights, requiring a state license and mandatory registration to own a firearm, and banning hobbyists and gunsmiths from practicing their trade. They might as well have printed a political brochure from Michael Bloomberg’s Everytown for Gun Safety. It would’ve saved time and money.
Gun Control Rebuffed at The Ballot Box
Congressional election results show America once again rejected these gun control overtures. Former failed presidential candidate and billionaire Michael Bloomberg spent over $1 billion to buy more seats for gun control but was rejected. Gun control groups spending millions on gun-control platforms removed “gun control” messaging from their television ads because they know voters are turned off by the message. In New York, anti-gun Democrats were rejected and the state Senate was denied the supermajority needed to impose gun control even stricter than what Gov. Cuomo previously attempted.
The New York State Bar Association would’ve done well to recognize what policies would actually impact and reduce criminal gun violence in the Empire State. They could have consulted the industry for our input. We would’ve been happy to educate them about Real Solutions for Safer Communities. Unfortunately, they didn’t and will remain the butt of the joke.
About The National Shooting Sports Foundation
NSSF is the trade association for the firearm industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of thousands of manufacturers, distributors, firearm retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations, and publishers nationwide. For more information, visit nssf.org
Say, if we hand in our guns to the government either piecemeal or all at once what is going to protect us from the government?
What exactly protects us from the government NOW? What protected Sammy Weaver and Vicki Weaver from the government? What protected the occupants of the Branch Davidian Church from the government? Sammy was armed. Vicky was armed with Elishaba when she was shot in the head by the murdering psychopath Lon Horiuchi. Randy was armed. Obviously some of the occupants of the Branch Davidian church were armed. WHAT GOOD DID IT DO THEM? Where was the IDAHO MILITIA…Oh, that’s right, it was disbanded in 1903. Where was the TEXAS MILITIA to stop the carnage at WACO? Oh that’s right, it was… Read more »
@courageouslion That is anything but a “courageous” view of individuals throughout history who have taken stands against evil; and ultimately advanced humanity’s ability to succeed at living together in peace. … One might get the impression that you are today a threatened narcissist awakening to the reality that you have been “feeding off” the “Courage” others and the sense of safety those effort have provide to you. … Change your moniker.
You don’t know me in the least bit. PERIOD. I’d get into the facts, but I don’t want the STAZI you support coming into my life. I’ve been a runaway slave for 35 years. YOU? How much courage do you have in YOUR life. Oh, and BTW…great come back. However, dispute my statement. Show me where I’m wrong and that you’re just not emotionally responding because after all… or meet me in person some time and I’ll share with you what I’ve NOT been doing that they want me to.
@courageouslion Seems you just confirmed my assessment. Your data are specifically (arbitrarily) selected to make your point in your own mind; tragic but only incidents in a much greater timeline of human history and progress against tryanny. … BTW check your “emotions” (and the “threats” – please don’t).
One other thing…show me the list of INDIVIDUALS that made a difference. That stood up against the armed might of government and didn’t get run over. Ever hear of Gordon Kahl? Naaa…I doubt it. I’ll tell you this…if I’m attacked by the enforcers that you boot licking jerks support, I’m going to kill as many as I can before they kill me. PERIOD. You’ll be able to read about it in the paper as I’m described as a “Trump supporting gun nut with ties to white supremacist groups and blah blah blah BULLSHIT.”
Cowardly lion is a democrat liberal. Nothing to see here.
And you’re dumber then a post if you actually think I’m a liberal democrat. HA! Here is a selfie I found of yourself.
Throughout history people have traded liberty for safety to their governments and got neither, Venezuela is the latest example. Germany in the 1930″s., Cuba in t he 1950’s. Unfortunately, Jews have been on of those historical group over the last 2000 years or so who have often put their trust in a benevolent government only to find themselves disarmed and helpless against that government. As a Jew myself, I own, use and collect firearms, partly for my admiration of those individuals who designed the intricate working of these pieces of equipment, partly for the enjoyment of shooting them and partly… Read more »
We need to start fighting for the WHOLE 2nd amendment including those first 13 words that have been being ignored since 1903. But what would I know? I’ve been labeled a “liberal democrat” by one commenter on here who doesn’t know his ass from a hole in the ground.
True, you are not a “Liberal Democrat”, that animal is a myth, the true term is Socialist. So where in our defense of the Second Amendment have you found we are ignoring the “first 13 words”? A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. Those thirteen words are a statement that a militia is needed to protect the State. The right of the people to keep and bear arms (not just handguns, arms), shall not be infringed. Which statement is it… Read more »
Why would any gun manufacturer or gun parts company stay in the state of New York when they are being trashed by law makers and lawyers.
There are other states that can also be classified as unfriendly to firearms makers, maybe it’s time to relocate to a friendly state that would appreciate your business and not hassle your customers.
Lawyers just want more litigation.
“The NYSBA’s grab bag of gun control items includes banning modern sporting rifles and any magazine capable of holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition. They’re likely aware that New York Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo already swung and missed on a standard capacity magazine ban as part of his 2013 NY SAFE Act midnight overreach. Even then, Gov. Cuomo was rebuffed twice on the magazine limit, first by a federal judge in New York and then again by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.” Cuomo signed into law a 7 round magazine limit, he WAS “rebuffed”, as the court… Read more »
The true mark of insanity is repeating the same task in the same manner and expecting a different result each time. Leftists and progressives are the knownothings and science deniers of our day.