Posted on 04/08/2014 7:09:18 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Though he still has constitutional objections to the NY SAFE Act, U.S. Rep. Tom Reed, R-Corning, said Monday that residents should comply with the law’s provisions, including a requirement that guns categorized as assault weapons be registered with authorities.
“Fundamentally it is the law, and I would encourage people to respect that law,” Reed said.
But Reed wasn’t unequivocal.
“At the same time, I understand that this is an infringement upon our constitutional freedoms, and I would encourage people to make that determination (themselves),” he said.
The deadline for owners of weapons the law considers assault weapons, including the popular AR-15 rifle, to register their guns with police is April 15.
Representatives of New York gun rights groups, including the Shooters Committee on Political Education, which organized a large Albany protest last week against the law, have said they expect owners of those weapons to ignore the requirement.
But those who fail to register under the law could face a misdemeanor charge and lose the guns they didn’t register, unless police decide the failure was unintentional.
In that case, the owner would be given 30 days to comply.
According to the Associated Press, there’s also a provision for a felony charge for an unregistered weapon under the law, and the determination of which charge to file would be up to prosecutors.
The SAFE Act also expands the definition of assault weapons to include semi-automatic weapons with detachable magazines and one military-style feature, such as a collapsible stock or flash suppressor. Previous state law required two military-style features for the classification.
Reed said he believes laws that attempt to reduce gun violence by regulating the guns themselves are misguided.
Citing the recent shooting at Fort Hood, the second mass shooting there in five years, he said the focus should be on why people commit acts of violence.
“You have to go to the mental health issue, you have to go to the criminals that are often behind these situations,” he said.
He said his support of Second Amendment rights to gun ownership remains unwavering.
“To me, it’s an individual, constitutional fundamental freedom that needs to be defended,” he said.
I respect the spirit of your words and ideas, but I pray we can find a peaceful solution. This will be hard because, with each passing day, the outrages from our would-be masters multiply and arouse our mighty passion for freedom. When, when will millions take to the streets in full throated fury? And can it come soon enough and strong enough to save us from the path of bloodshed? Pray for America.
I’m definitely getting one of those vibes from our leadership.
I hope they don’t.
The Constitution of the United States declares that I have the right to keep and bear arms. It isn’t a right if I have to register my weapons and pay nearly $500 for a permit to have them. Paying for a gun permit is no different than paying a tax to vote.
Sun Tzu says to keep the knowledge of your strength and arms secret. Gun registration is the first step towards having your arms seized. Loss of your arms is the first step towards your genocide by those who take your arms away from you.
I ain’t laughin’
:)
just notice that something was amiss with the convention
R-Corning, D-NY etc. can anyone else see it?
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