Hydraulic Fracturing opponents ruled the concourse at Governor Cuomo’s State of the State speech last week, but they weren’t the only protestors using the opportunity to raise their concerns.
Meanwhile, a smaller but no less passionate group was demanding the repeal of the Safe Act, which came into effect a year ago.
Without an official permit, their presence wasn’t as organized, but the group of Safe Act protesters showed up on behalf of NY2A, a coalition of more than two dozen state wide pro-second amendment groups.
Spokesman, Jake Palmateer, says many are still incensed by the bill’s passage in the middle-of-the-night passage without public comment and were moved to action when they saw the detail.
“The safe act discriminates against seniors, the physically disabled and those of smaller stature including women.”
Saturday afternoon, firearms enthusiasts continued the protest against the Safe Act with an event called the ‘The Shot Heard Round New York.’
Richard Kazmark, President of the Springfield Field and Stream Club in Springville, NY encouraged gun owners across the state to fire a symbolic shot at noon, to show solidarity for the right to bear arms.
“We want people to go out and fire a shot. If you don’t own a firearm, what we’re asking you to do is go out get in your car at noon, blow your horn, or take a fog horn and blow it. Whatever you can to participate noise wise with us to protest the New York State Safe Act.”
Plans for the event included a relay of gun shots up the Hudson River every 5 miles from New York to Plattsburgh.
A ruling in the U.S. District Court in Buffalo a week ago upheld the majority of the SAFE Act as constitutional in a case filed by a coalition of gun groups. However the court’s finding that the 7-round limit for magazines was ‘arbitrary’ has created additional confusion.
The New York State Sheriff’s Association has previously criticized provisions of the law as too vague, and impossible to enforce fairly.