#R2013-80 Passed unanimously February 14
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE SECOND AMENDMENT
Motion Supervisor Sweeton, seconded Councilman Gerstner to adopt the following resolution:
WHEREAS, the Right of the People to Keep and Bear Arms is guaranteed as an Individual Right under the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution and under the Constitution of the State of New York, and;
WHEREAS, the Right of the People to Keep and Bear Arms for defense of Life, Liberty, and Property is regarded as an Inalienable Right by the People of the Town of Warwick, Orange County, New York, and;
WHEREAS, the Town Board, being duly sworn by their Oath of Office to uphold the United States Constitution and the Constitution of the State of New York, and;
WHEREAS, the New York State Assembly and the New York State Senate, being elected by the People of the State of New York and being duly sworn by their Oath of Office to uphold the United States Constitution and the Constitution of the State of New York, and;
WHEREAS, legislation passed by the New York Assembly and Senate infringes on the Right to Keep and Bear Arms and would ban the possession and use of firearms now legally possessed by individual citizens of the Town of Warwick, for defense of Life, Liberty and Property and would ban the possession and use of firearms now legally possessed for safe forms of firearms recreation, hunting and shooting as well as hinder the Warwick Police Departments ability to ensure the safety of our residents and;
WHEREAS, this legislation was passed hastily, without adequate time for review by legislators, and public debate nor due consideration to the consequences of said legislation, and;
WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Warwick believes that our State representatives should engage the public in a full, open debate that would include some provisions of the legislation as well as other methods that would effectively, control, manage, and reduce violence in our society, such as, mental health reforms, anti-bullying programs for schools, enforcement of existing firearms laws to the fullest extent possible, and proper psychological counseling for those in need or who request it;
NOW, THEREFORE IT BE AND IS HEREBY RESOLVED that the Town of Warwick Town Board does hereby oppose the hastily enacted NY SAFE act that infringes upon the Second Amendment of the US Constitution and hereby urges the Legislature to rescind this legislation which we consider to be beyond lawful legislative authority granted to our State representatives.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to Senator John Bonacic and Assemblywoman Annie Rabbitt, Governor Cuomo, as well as President Barack Obama, Vice President Joseph Biden, Senator Charles Schumer, Senator Kristen Gillibrand, Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney.
Roll Call Vote:
Supervisor Sweeton aye
Councilman DeAngelo aye
Councilman Kowal aye
Councilman Gerstner aye
Councilman Shuback aye
Motion Carried (5 ayes, 0 nays) Supervisor declared this resolution duly adopted.
