Posted on 09/16/2022 4:42:54 PM PDT by lowbridge
A slew of historical reenactments in New York have been canceled — because participants are concerned their muskets could run afoul of a new state gun law.
The law, which took effect Sept. 1, prohibits carrying weapons in “sensitive locations” such as public parks, museums, and sports fields, leaving history buffs concerned their black-powder muskets could get them arrested, the Observer-Dispatch reported.
“All it would take is a citizen complaint and the whole thing will become a mess,” said Terry Parker, who decided to cancel a Civil War reenactment event he planned for late September in Allegany County in the wake of the new law.
“We didn’t really want to be the test case and get my friends arrested,” Parker, who started the event 18 years ago and leads the organizing committee, told the outlet.
In addition, the Living History Weekend scheduled for last week in central New York, which was to also include a Civil War reenactment, was squashed after the local sheriff’s office found the event could violate the new law, the outlet reported.
“Our attorneys advised us that there is no exemption in the law for Civil War reenactments,” Herkimer County Sheriff Scott Scherrer told the outlet.
“It would be illegal, according to the letter of the governor’s law.”
But Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office said in a statement to The Post on Friday, “These laws allow historical re-enactments to occur, and there should be no concern otherwise.
“We will work with legislators and local law enforcement to ensure these events can proceed as they have for centuries. In the meantime, individuals who have lawfully participated in reenactments should continue to do so.”
But Rochester lawyer Sheldon Boyce Jr., who specializes in Second Amendment law, said there’s no carveout for historical events in the law’s language.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
But I thought that the NY governor said that the Second Amendment was only intended for muskets and flintlocks.
I never really thought these re-enactments were a good idea. Not sure why...I think museums dedicated to the war are the way to go...at the same time honoring those who died...ON BOTH SIDES.
That is a lie. Is is any wonder the re-enactors don't trust the government?
Just like they believe the First Amendment was only if you write something on parchment with a quill pen - freedom of speech is not meant for ordinary peons who use the Internet.
Exactly. The sheriff and organizers read the law, called lawyers and found it would be illegal as the law was written, then the Governor just says go ahead, it will be fine, that’s not what we meant.
I guess I can’t use my semi automatic assault muzzleloader
No one trusts you, Hochul. No one has any reason to.
Move the reenactments to a neighboring state.
Embarrass Hochul.
I was involved in the re-enacting community for 4 years in the ‘90’s. It was an absolute blast, and the amount of historical knowledge these individuals possess is amazing. Attend one and talk to a re-enactor about it.
Reenactment is a wonderful tool. The guys who do it are also full of information they love to share. Would you oppose an airshow where WWII fighters have a mock dogfight?
The sky is not a “sensitive place”...yet.
That is industrial strength stupidity. It's up there with Harris stupidity and that horrible press secretary stupidity. "Centuries ago" we were fighting real wars and nobody had the time, money or leisure to indulge in fantasies. It was those wars centuries ago that we are re-enacting.
“I never really thought these re-enactments were a good idea. Not sure why...I think museums dedicated to the war are the way to go...” [Sacajaweau, post 3]
You may want to re-think that notion.
I’ve been to arms museums over a fair share of the United States, including the original Remington museum, the Museum of the National Armory at Springfield MA, the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, and the West Point Museum. I’ve also visited numerous military historical sites and related museums.
I’ve also been participating in historical reenacting since 1984 - mostly American War of Independence, but with occasional mix-in of other periods and venues. And I worked in the gun trade for 13 years, repairing many antiques and historically significant pieces. Much research required, poring over old books and digging in rarely seen file folders.
Museums are good for display of one-of-a-kind items with unique provenance, association with a famous personage, or of unusual devices of artistic, scientific, or manufacturing significance. And they have no equal, in being right out there in public, for all to see, easily found and visited.
But their interpretation and their presentation of historical context is often superficial; it’s astonishing how often they get details wrong. Staffers, gate guards, and custodians who operate the places on a daily basis aren’t necessarily trained or versed in particulars.
In contrast, bunches of reenactors are meticulously self-educated, often making their own uniforms and period accouterments, making their weapons from kits at least. They tend to take care to present artifacts and activities in a more complete historical context. If they don’t have answers at their fingertips, they are more likely to admit it and direct the questioner to a more authoritative source.
Some organizations (The Brigade of the American Revolution is one) enforce the most detailed and exacting standards, for authenticity and source reliability, before they will admit a candidate member. Attention to detail is key - right down to cloth type, thread count, dye chemicals, and stitch technique.
And “living history” is not an entirely wrong term.
Reenactors tend to take personal pride in what they are doing, especially in the whys and hows of presenting themselves and their time period to the general public. Mostly, they aren’t paid nor filling a square. They give children - intensely curious, but often shy to approach - a chance to meet a “real person” from 150 or 250 years ago, to hear the (suitably sanitized) language and songs, smell the campfires, sometimes to touch and hold the muskets. Somewhat better than a bored shop girl serving out her time at the entry desk of a dusty, stuffy museum.
This law in New York State is indeed ugly and dismaying, but the attitude and intent behind it isn’t as new as we might think. For thirty years or longer, gun control advocates, anti-military activists, radical environmentalists, and related interest groups have been attempting to get all gatherings involving reenactors (military, fur trade, pioneer etc) banned from public land.
“...’Centuries ago’ we were fighting real wars and nobody had the time, money or leisure to indulge in fantasies. It was those wars centuries ago that we are re-enacting.”
You’re only partly right.
In 1876, commemoration & celebration of the American Revolution with parades in 1770s uniforms, battle reenactments, and sundry events was a very big deal. And they didn’t even have replica muskets - they had to use real originals.
The 50th and 75th anniversaries (1913 and 1938) of the Battle of Gettysburg were the occasion for commemorations and reenactments. Surviving combatants of the original event attended; it became national news. Documentary and newsreel footage was filmed.
The biggest boost to reenacting was the Centennial of the American Civil War, creating an entire new industry, supplying arms, accouterments, uniforms, period-piece clothing, and whatnot to an eager and historically curious public.
It is not at all limited to us “gun-crazed Americans.” Brits and Euro types have done their own reenacting for years. War of the Roses, English Civil War, Waterloo are just a few of the better-known examples.
But you are completely correct in pointing out the historical precedence, and historical love, of citizens for such events and time periods. Long predates the Progressive Left, enforcers of the movement like Gov Hochul, and the nanny state so yearned for by its dupes.
Good info. Thanks for the thoughtful reply. I was in fifth through eighth grades during the Civil War centennial and I recall it being a big thing.
The American Revolution centennial in 1876 was in the 19th century, so you could argue that was two centuries ago even though it was 146 years ago (counting whole centuries, not years).
I’m 71 now, so one’s perspective on “century” does change a bit.
No exception for Revolutionary War re-enactments, either...
I’ve attended some. All were very well done.
Couldn’t experience the sound, the smell, the terrain in a museum.
I had an even greater respect for our ancestors after those.
That’s the reason to do them.
And why Deep State wants them gone, I’ll bet.
No, my point is that someone was opposed to re-enactments and thought it should just visit museums.
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