Albany County's ammunition sales law is way out of step

Heat · March 23, 2009, 13:27

Albany County's ammunition sales law is way out of step

By FRED LEBRUN, Staff writer
First published in print: Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Gun control at a highly restrictive level New York has never seen before is imbedded in a local law under consideration at the moment by the Albany County Legislature.

Local Law "A" for 2009 would tightly regulate "in the interests of public safety" all ammunition sold in Albany County. Not just ammo for handguns, which already is closely monitored by state law, but all rifle and shotgun ammunition as well. Hunting and target shooting ammo, basically. Anyone buying rounds or shells, even .22s, would have to show identification, declare the gun and have its serial number registered with the ammo seller. The buyer would have to state his intent of use, and could be refused the purchase. The ammo seller, at the same time, would be required to keep records for 10 years.

Anyway you look at it, this amounts to yet another unreasonable assault on lawful gun owners and hunters without any logic behind it except to harass. It's ludicrous.

Not to mention that this flies in the face of a long tradition in this state, and in nearly all other states, of not registering long guns – that is, rifles or shotguns. These are not weapons typically used in crimes or the illegal gun trade, anyway.

There is simply no demonstrable need for this law, none. Even if there were, this is something that needs extended discussion in the open, at least on the state level, and probably nationally.

Even in liberal states, this goes nowhere for a reason. How can you have the U.S. Supreme Court, as it did last year, affirm the individual as well as collective right of Americans to bear arms, but then have Albany County decide you can't have the ammo for your guaranteed gun? Granted, the court also affirmed the right of individual states to set reasonable rules and restrictions on the ownership of handguns, which was what the court decision was about. Changing unfettered long-gun ownership by the general citizenry was never even on the table in that discussion.

That's how far out of step this legislation is. It introduced by Legislator Phil Steck, a Colonie Democrat, and referred to the county Legislature's Law Committee.

Not surprisingly, the pro-gun folks, who tend to be a touch on the paranoid side anyway, went nuts when they got wind this law was being introduced. Although in this case, they are not overreacting at all.

"This was not intended to be revolutionary legislation," Steck told me. I hear your words, Phil, but this most certainly is revolutionary, and not in a happy way for hunters. Where is that Senator Gillibrand when you need her?

The effect of this law, in a tiny and ineffectual way, would be the backdoor registration of rifles and shotguns, an effort that has gotten no traction nationally, or anywhere else in New York. Albany County gun shops and ammo sellers will move to adjoining counties, and so will their customers. That's the only real effect it will have.

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V guy · March 23, 2009, 18:39

The attempt is meant to be a direct slap at our new Senator Christin Gillibrand and her NRA rating.

That homo scum proposing the ban is working directly for that witch McCarthy and other cauldron lurking scumbags. The groups as diverse as the Cowboy action shooting groups and trap shooters are besieging him.

Fortunatly the law will not pass as the other counties will not similarly be regulated and you can still buy as much ammo online as you want or can find.

March 23, 2009, 13:27	#1
Heat Registered Contributor FALaholic #: 31713 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: N Idaho Posts: 2,583	Albany County's ammunition sales law is way out of step Albany County's ammunition sales law is way out of step By FRED LEBRUN, Staff writer First published in print: Wednesday, March 11, 2009 Gun control at a highly restrictive level New York has never seen before is imbedded in a local law under consideration at the moment by the Albany County Legislature. Local Law "A" for 2009 would tightly regulate "in the interests of public safety" all ammunition sold in Albany County. Not just ammo for handguns, which already is closely monitored by state law, but all rifle and shotgun ammunition as well. Hunting and target shooting ammo, basically. Anyone buying rounds or shells, even .22s, would have to show identification, declare the gun and have its serial number registered with the ammo seller. The buyer would have to state his intent of use, and could be refused the purchase. The ammo seller, at the same time, would be required to keep records for 10 years. Anyway you look at it, this amounts to yet another unreasonable assault on lawful gun owners and hunters without any logic behind it except to harass. It's ludicrous. Not to mention that this flies in the face of a long tradition in this state, and in nearly all other states, of not registering long guns – that is, rifles or shotguns. These are not weapons typically used in crimes or the illegal gun trade, anyway. There is simply no demonstrable need for this law, none. Even if there were, this is something that needs extended discussion in the open, at least on the state level, and probably nationally. Even in liberal states, this goes nowhere for a reason. How can you have the U.S. Supreme Court, as it did last year, affirm the individual as well as collective right of Americans to bear arms, but then have Albany County decide you can't have the ammo for your guaranteed gun? Granted, the court also affirmed the right of individual states to set reasonable rules and restrictions on the ownership of handguns, which was what the court decision was about. Changing unfettered long-gun ownership by the general citizenry was never even on the table in that discussion. That's how far out of step this legislation is. It introduced by Legislator Phil Steck, a Colonie Democrat, and referred to the county Legislature's Law Committee. Not surprisingly, the pro-gun folks, who tend to be a touch on the paranoid side anyway, went nuts when they got wind this law was being introduced. Although in this case, they are not overreacting at all. "This was not intended to be revolutionary legislation," Steck told me. I hear your words, Phil, but this most certainly is revolutionary, and not in a happy way for hunters. Where is that Senator Gillibrand when you need her? The effect of this law, in a tiny and ineffectual way, would be the backdoor registration of rifles and shotguns, an effort that has gotten no traction nationally, or anywhere else in New York. Albany County gun shops and ammo sellers will move to adjoining counties, and so will their customers. That's the only real effect it will have. 1 \| 2 NEXT PAGE >> http://timesunion.com/ASPStories/Sto...8&LinkFrom=RSS

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March 23, 2009, 18:39	#2
V guy Registered FALaholic #: 10282 Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: miami Posts: 8,231	The attempt is meant to be a direct slap at our new Senator Christin Gillibrand and her NRA rating. That homo scum proposing the ban is working directly for that witch McCarthy and other cauldron lurking scumbags. The groups as diverse as the Cowboy action shooting groups and trap shooters are besieging him. Fortunatly the law will not pass as the other counties will not similarly be regulated and you can still buy as much ammo online as you want or can find.