Town of Gallatin resolution opposing process of enactment enabling the SAFE Act

RESOLUTION OPPOSING THE PROCESS OF ENACTMENT OF PROVISIONS CONTAINED WITHIN THE NEW YORK SAFE ACT

WHEREAS, The Town Board of Gallatin has long advocated for protection of the rights afforded to citizens under the Constitution, which has for generations guided our NATION AND SERVED AS A FRAMEWOKK TO OUR DEMOCRACY AND SOCIETY; AND

WHEREAS, The Second Amendment of the UNITED States provides for the “right of the people to keep and bear arms” and further states that this right “shall not be infringed”’ and that this right has been a bedrock of our nation for over two centuries; and

Whereas, The New York State Legislation has recently adopted legislation, the NY Safe Act, proposed by Governor Cuomo to curtail these rights though the enactment of various anti-gun measures that will significantly impact legal gun owners and various businesses and suppliers of guns and related supplies
and equipment; and

WHEREAS, This legislation was approved with scant public notice, very little public debate or review by State Lawmakers, and in the days since the legislation was introduced and enacted, concerns have arisen regarding various matters of law and potential defects in the legislation; and

WHEREAS, The Gallatin Town Board believes that an issue of this seriousness and effect should have been granted a respectful and appropriate period of debate, review and consideration: and

WHEREAS, As New York State already has some of the toughest gun legislation in the Country, including the Sullivan Act, and concerns have been voiced that this legislation will not improve public safety in the state, including concerns by Legislators who initially supported the legislation: and

WHEREAS, Additionally, Federal Lawmakers and the President are also considering legislation or executive orders that would further infringe on the Second Amendment; and

WHEREAS, This legislation will unfairly affect the rights of the many law-abiding gun owners in the Town of Gallatin and New York State who are granted the right to keep and bear arms under the Constitution; and

WHEREAS, This legislation also does not adequately address the many acts of violence committed by criminals who are likely to ignore this legislation, and does not address the concerns of many residents, particularly those in rural communities, to possess firearms for the purpose of home or self defense, in
accordance with the provisions of the Second Amendment: and

WHEREAS, This Legislation imposes a number of unfunded mandates on County government and taxpayers; and

WHEREAS, As written, The Act increases the stigma on the mentally ill; and

WHEREAS, 52 Counties, over 180 towns, and numerous law enforcement and other organizations have enacted  resolutions opposing both the process of enactment of the Act as well as certain provisions contained therein; and

WHEREAS, The Gallatin Town Board does hereby affirm support for the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and the rights afforded to residents under the Constitution, and opposes attempts to infringe on those rights; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Gallatin Town Board affirms support for the Second Amendment, and states opposition to the legislation NY Safe Act adopted by the State Legislature restricting the rights of gun owners, and opposes attempts on the Federal level to implement new restrictions on these rights; and be it further

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body further requests that the NY Safe Act be repealed during the current state legislative session; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Clerk of this Legislative Body is hereby directed to transmit certified copies of this resolution to U.S Senator Charles Schumer, U. S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, U. S. Representative Chris, Gibson, Governor Andrew Cuomo, State Senator Kathy Marchione, and Assemblywoman Didi Barrett.