On February 25th, the Lewiston Town Board unanimously passed a resolution in opposition to the NY SAFE Act. Board member Earnest C. Palmer asked, “How sad is it when a Town Board has to pass a resolution to support our Constitution?”
************************************** Tim Masters, Building Inspector provided a Resolution requesting the Board support.
Clerk read resolution into record.
RESOLUTION #4 OF 2013
Resolution in Support of the Second Amendment
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 Lewiston, Lewiston, New York and
WHEREAS, the people of the Town of Lewiston, Lewiston, New York, derive economic benefit from all safe forms of firearms recreation, hunting, and shooting conducted within Lewiston using all types of firearms allowable under the United States Constitution and the Constitution of the State of New York and
WHEREAS, the Town of Lewiston Town Board being elected to represent the people of Lewiston 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 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 employed by individual citizens of the Town of Lewiston for defense of life, liberty and 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 Lewiston, Lewiston, New York.
WHEREAS, the Town of Lewiston 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, 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 Lewiston 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 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, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Congressman Chris Collins, Governor Andrew Cuomo, Senator George Maziarz and Assemblyman John Ceretto.
Marra complemented the growing number of Counties that have passed similar resolutions. This was rushed through with no public comments allowed. There is usually a three-day debate between the Senate and the Assembly. The Assembly was given 50-minutes to look at and pass. When it involves the Bill of Rights it should have been put out for discussion. It certainly does nothing it claims to do. It has been said that this law would have had no effect on the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut or Aurora, Colorado. These are mental health reform and those items are necessary.
Marra MOVED to approve Resolution #4 – 2013 and forward to those listed, Seconded by Winkley
Palmer asks “How sad is it when a Town Board has to pass a resolution to support our Constitution?”
Carried 4 – 0