Onondaga County public comment session
SYRACUSE -- Onondaga County held a public comment session at a joint meeting of the ways and means and public safety committees on Monday night. The topic of discussion was New York's SAFE Act, one day before the legislature votes on a resolution to repeal Governor Cuomo's tough new gun law.
Cheers, standing ovations, and nodding heads filled the legislative chambers as Onondaga County citizens passionately defended their 2nd amendment rights Monday night.
Rachel Nuper, a mother from North Syracuse, is one of many law abiding gun owners who spoke in favor of a resolution to repeal the SAFE act.
"Although I would hope and pray that I would never have to use my firearm against someone who was trying to inflict harm on myself or my children, it is my constitutional right to defend my family and yes I may need more than 7 bullets to do so," says Nupert.
It was standing room only, packed with people of all ages, as moms, dads, kids and grandparents shared their concerns with New York's new gun control law. Scott Armstrong, a certified firearms instructor, asked Onondaga County lawmakers to fix the state's mistake.
"You guys are elected to make smart choices, but your state colleagues forgot that and put political expediency in front of competence. The end result is a legislative travesty born of human tragedy," says Armstrong.
It's safe to say the majority of people who spoke out do not support the NY SAFE Act. More than 30 people had spoke and over an hour had gone by, before anyone spoke in favor of the law.
Veteran Bill Andrews was one of few to defend the governor's law.
"Even the people I shot had families at home and people who had really suffered from what I have done. Let's not be a part of that being done here," says Andrews.
With the voices of their constituents clearly stated, our elected officials are left to decide if Onondaga County will join 29 other New York counties in a unified effort to repeal the controversial gun control law.
Among other things, the NY SAFE Act redefines and restricts the ownership of "assault weapons," bans high capacity magazines by limiting them to 7 rounds, requires background checks on the purchase of ammunition, attempts to keep guns out of the hands of the mentally ill, and requires 5 year renewals for pistol permits.
