Cuomo says Collins’ push to repeal SAFE Act puts New Yorkers at ‘profound risk’
Gov. Andrew Cuomo has released a statement in response to Congressman Chris Collins news conferences today, where the local congressman is highlighting his plan to repeal the SAFE Act in New York.
Collins is unveiling the “Second Amendment Guarantee Act,” which he said would serve as a means to repeal the New York Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement (SAFE) Act at the federal level.
Collins said the SAFE Act is a “blatant encroachment of citizens’ Second Amendment rights.” He said repealing the SAFE Act has been a priority since Governor Cuomo signed it into law on Jan. 15, 2013.
Collins is holding press conferences on Monday at the Rochester Brooks Gun Club and the Hamburg Rod and Gun Club. If signed into law, Collins said the Second Amendment Guarantee Act would limit the authority of states and localities to regulate conduct, or impose penalties or taxes, in relation to rifles or shotguns.
Cuomo issued this statement this afternoon:
“In 2013, following the Sandy Hook tragedy, New York State rose to the occasion and passed the toughest gun safety laws in the nation. Democrats and Republicans came together to ban assault weapons from coming into the state, ban high capacity magazines and keep guns out of the hands of the dangerously mentally ill, while safeguarding the constitutional rights of law-abiding gun owners.
“Now, in a blatant political ploy, Chris Collins is turning his back on New Yorkers and putting millions of people at profound risk. By fighting to roll back vital legislation that protects the people of the Empire State, Collins is demonstrating once again that he is beholden to no one but the gun lobby and entrenched special interests.
“This disturbing bill puts New Yorkers in harm’s way – and to make it worse, there is no basis for it. None. The courts have resoundingly upheld New York’s law as consistent with the Constitution. We understand that Washington is in turmoil right now – we just ask that they don’t do anything to set back the progress we’ve been able to make despite them.”
