Town of Catlin resolution opposing the NY SAFE act

On April 11th, the Town Board for the Town of Catlin in Chemung County unanimously adopted a strong resolution in opposition to the New York Safe Act. The Board also unanimously adopted another resolution, this one in opposition to legislation proposed by Assemblyman Felix Ortiz requiring firearms owners to carry liability insurance. This was the same resolution adopted by the full Chemung County Legislature on April 8th. The text of the resolution in opposition to the unSAFE Act follows:

RESOLUTION: Resolution opposed to infringement on the right of the people to keep and bear arms

By Town Board of Catlin, New York- Resolution opposed to infringement on the Right of the People to keep and bear arms
this (11th day of April 2013).

Resolved by: C. Edwards

Second by: Council member(s): D. Voorhees

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 Catlin, Chemung County, New York, and:

WHEREAS, the People of the Town of Catlin, Chemung County, New York, derive benefit from all safe forms of firearms recreation, hunting, and shooting conducted within Catlin using all types of firearms allowable under the United States Constitution and the Constitution of the State of New York, and;

WHEREAS, the Catlin Town Board, being elected to represent the People of Catlin 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, 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 in the night, 6 hours after introduced, without any public notice or opportunity for comment by the citizens effected, by the New York Assembly and Senate infringes on the Right to Keep and Bear Arms and;

WHEREAS, the NY SAFE ACT bans the possession and use of firearms now employed by individual citizens of the Town of Catlin, for defense of Life, Liberty, Property, and would ban the possession and use of firearms now employed for safe forms of firearms recreation, hunting and shooting conducted within the Town of Catlin, Chemung County, New York;

WHEREAS, the Catlin Town Board believes there are many other less intrusive means available, other than rash, confusing, and inarticulately drafted firearms laws that would effectively, control, manage, and reduce violence in our society, such as, mental health reforms, 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 Catlin Town Board does hereby oppose the enactment of any legislation that would infringe upon the Right of the People to keep and bear arms and consider such laws to be unnecessary and beyond lawful legislative authority granted to our State representatives, as there is no documented correlation between these gun control measures and crime reduction.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to President Barack Obama, Vice President Joseph Biden, Senator Charles Schumer, Congressman Tom Reed, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Governor Andrew Cuomo, Lieutenant Gov. Robert Duffy, Senator Thomas O’Mara, Assemblyman Phillip Palmesano, Legislator John Pastrick, County Executive Tom Santulli.

VOTE:
Supervisor Edwards Yes
Council Member Silvernail Yes
Council Member Radford Yes
Council Member Voorhees Yes

ABSENT: Council Member Austin