RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE SECOND AMENDMENT:
Resolution # 57-2013:
A Motion was made by Councilman Spano and Seconded by Councilman Cilenti that;
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 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 Rochester, Ulster, New York, and;
WHEREAS, the People of the Town of Rochester, Ulster County, New York, derive economic benefit from all safe forms of firearms recreation, hunting, and shooting conducted within the Town of Rochester using all types of firearms allowable under the United States Constitution and the Constitution of the State of New York, and;
WHEREAS, the Rochester Town Board, being elected to represent the people of the Town of Rochester 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 Rochester 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 Rochester, Ulster County, New York;
WHEREAS, the Rochester 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 school, 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 Rochester 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 Governor Andrew Cuomo, Senator James Seward and Assemblymember Kevin Cahill.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
Councilwoman Archer: Abstain
Councilman Cilenti Aye
Councilman Drabkin Aye
Councilman Spano Aye
Supervisor Chipman Aye
4 aye, 1- abstain (Archer)