WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Schodack 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 framework 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
WHEREAS, The New York State Legislature has recently adopted legislation (NY SAFE Act) proposed by the Governor to curtail these rights through 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, 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 his 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 considering legislation or executive orders that would infringe on the Second Amendment; and
WHEREAS, This legislation will affect the rights of the many law abiding gun owners in Schodack, Rensselaer County 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 regulation of those who are dangerously mentally ill and 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; and
WHEREAS, The Town Board of the Town of Schodack 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 Town Board of the Town of Schodack 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 the Town Clerk of the Town of Schodack is hereby directed to transmit certified copies of this resolution to U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, U.S. Representative Paul Tonko, U.S. Representative Chris Gibson, Governor Andrew Cuomo, State Senator Kathy Marchione, Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin and Assemblyman John McDonald.