Legion calls for rewriting of NY’s SAFE Act

Posted: Friday, May 24, 2013 9:25 am

By Edward P. Haag Special to the Olean Times Herald



The following letter, which I have included here, was sent to Gov. Andrew Cuomo on April 28:

“On April 18, 2013, the Allegany County commander, the post commanders and members of the American Legion, Department of New York, held their monthly meeting.

“Following the routine business that quite often benefits the community, state and nation, the next subject discussed was the New York SAFE Act. During this heated discussion, a motion was made, seconded and passed unanimously from the floor to have this New York SAFE Act declared unconstitutional.

“This motion/resolution will now be presented to the 8th District (comprised of the Western New York counties) of the New York Department of the American Legion, and then, if approved, will be presented to the National Convention to be held in Houston, Texas, Aug. 23-29, 2013.

“Although the act does address some positive features, such as real protection for first responders, restrictions on the Freedom of Information Law requests (covering New York state pistol-permit holders) and parts of the enhanced background check system, the main objective of this law is ... to restrict and move toward the elimination of firearms (owned) by law-abiding citizens.

“With the overwhelming majority of county legislative bodies, the New York State Sheriff’s Association, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and several law-enforcement unions denouncing the major parts of the law, it becomes increasingly obvious that this act needs to be revised and rewritten by qualified persons. Those being people who will preserve the U.S. Constitution and support the legal rights of law-abiding citizens.

“The tragic and senseless loss of the life at Newtown, Conn., Aurora, Colo., and Tuscon, Ariz., are sad reminders of the evil-doers who sometimes strike our nation, and no amount of words can begin to address the pain those families feel. However, as veterans we can support and pray for them, as many of us know, all too well, the horror and tragedy that comes from wars we do not start, but are told to fight.

“Lastly, the recent bombings in Boston, Mass., highlight the wisdom and foresight of our Founding Fathers, who gave their citizens the right to keep and bear arms. When, after the governor issued the citywide order to all Bostonians to remain in their respective homes, shouldn’t those citizens be able to protect themselves and their families with the same type of weapon your New York SAFE Act has made illegal?

“Thus, we feel that there is a distinct need for some ‘common sense’ thinking and certainly some revisions to this act that are sympathetic towards our tax-paying and law-abiding citizens.”

(Mr. Haag is the commander of Dee Victor Thomas Post 1155, the American Legion, in Fillmore.)