Posted on 10/31/2006 3:23:16 PM PST by neverdem
Governor George Pataki signed a new gun law Tuesday in Albany that will raise the minimum mandatory sentence for possession of a loaded illegal weapon to three and a half years.
"That message is going to get out in the city; that message is going to get out in every corner of this state; and I believe this one law is going to save many lives," said Pataki.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg lobbied for the bill, which passed the legislature in June. He's also been meeting with mayors across the country to push for tougher gun laws. He has made gun control a cornerstone of his second term and pressed hard to close the loophole that allowed almost half of those convicted to escape even a minimum sentence of parole.
"That loophole was one of the worst examples of turnstile justice. Beginning today, sentences will be as they should be: severe," said Bloomberg.
With the new law in place, those convicted could receive up to 15 years in prison.
"Think about it. You're a cop on the beat, you see someone engaging in illegal activity and you risk your life to go arrest that person," said the governor. "That person has a loaded, illegal handgun tucked in the waste of their pants and they can walk the street the next day because many of those whom that law enforcement officer risked their life to convict were out on the street, given parole. No more."
While waging his war on illegal guns, Mayor Bloomberg has at times been extremely critical of the National Rifle Association with a fervor that Governor Pataki hasn't shared.
On Tuesday Bloomberg and Pataki also appeared to part ways on whether concealed weapons should be banned in cities. The mayor said at first that he didn't think it makes sense for civilians to have concealed guns. He then revised his stance, saying the permit process should be stricter. The governor had a different opinion.
"I think the law that we have is a very good law," said Pataki. "And right now you have to have a permit. And I think that's appropriate."
The Republican governor is eyeing a run for the White House and is perhaps mindful of the role the NRA plays in selecting Republican candidates.
In considering a White House run, Pataki has traveled to more socially-conservative voting districts where he has said it's up to the individual states to decide whether to adopt tougher gun laws.
Yes, there are some states that absolutely refuse to allow you to protect yourself, not many but some. And those states, though few in number, are places where I would not live.
Being retired, I have that option. I know that some Freepers have to live where they live because of their jobs.
IMHO, we need a more favorable SCOTUS to make such decision. Vote Tuesday!
Can we please kick this jacka$$ out of the party? He does not belong in the GOP - period! And he can take the useless Pataki with him.
I actually like the timing. It might actually get disaffected pubbies and gun owners to vote next week.
Pataki is a REPUBLICAN, gun-grabbing governor
What's an illegal weapon? Under the second amendment, and New York's own civil rights law, the term is an oxymoron.
Article 2, Section 4 of the New York Civil Rights Law provides: "A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms cannot be infringed."
Now I know most of the scumbags running around on the streets of NY City are a waste of pants, and a waste in general, but methinks someone at NY1 News has grown too dependent on their spell checker. :)
Well don't feel bad, most of us Texas FReepers are Dangerous Persons staying right where we are. And legally too.
Well, it's happened to many a thief who picked on the wrong house or store.
As well he should. But he's already too far over on the Dark Side for the NRA to have much interest in him, unless he were running against his own Junior Senator or his Senior Senator for that matter, who is one of the leading anti arms rights persons, I use the term loosely, in the country.
Well, according to recent legislation amending Section 333 of the US Code Title 10, it seems that President Bush can send the armed forces into New York to re-establish the 2nd Amendment.
Did you change the title, or did the site change it? It's now "Governor Signs Tougher Gun Law"
Not a pretty image. One I wish to not hold in my mind.
I just spent a couple of weeks in upstate NY, and there are plenty of guns there. Too many deer not to have a gun.
My friends I stayed with, the hubby has a nice Sig, a Beretta, a nice Browning over and under and probably more.
He's an avid trout fisherman and when he goes to sparsly populated places to fish, he always take a handgun with him. He said there's too many weirdos out in the woods to not take some protection with you.
They are selling their house and moving someplace else because of the insanely high school and other taxes.
you're not right. why did I think the same thing?
They're getting like the NY Times.
Are you also a former editor?
Led by RATpublicans. Blackbird.
They're going to fry him in Oleo down south.
An autoloader functions better than a revolver when "wasted".
The addition of the "HoMeBoy sights" from Birdman Products will AID the not too proficient thug in target acquisition.
For all members of te infamous "gun culture" Google the abovementioned sight. The resulting grin will last for hours.
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