KINGSTON – A brief and otherwise routine Ulster County Legislature monthly meeting ended with a bang, as legislators vigorously debated a memorializing resolution pertaining to the SAFE Act.
The law, enacted in 2013, is considered the most stringent state-level gun control provision in the nation.
The Ulster resolution contends the SAFE Act “… fails to offer any meaningful solutions to gun violence and places increased burdens where they do not belong, squarely on the backs of law abiding citizens; and WHEREAS, this law has effectively turned countless New York State law abiding gun owners into criminals.”
The resolution does not seek repeal, but supports a State Senate resolution that would make some key changes, including “…repeal the portions of the SAFE Act that infringe on the rights of law abiding gun owners, while leaving intact important sections providing for public safety and the general welfare of New York State residents …”
Democrat Lynn Archer said “gutting the law … without offering recommendations for change is an easy way out,” and that there were more important issues warranting legislative attention, but she know how she was voting.
“Victims of domestic violence may be harmed by key sections in Senate Bill 511 that weaken orders of protection and do not offer an alternative to protect women and children.”
Archer argued the resolution was introduced “… solely for campaign purposes …”
That point was countered by Republican Minority Leader Kenneth Ronk, who noted more frivolous memorializations in past years, including calling for impeachment of the president.
Another Republican, Carl Belfiglio, agreed.
“Every legislator has a right to speak on any issue, and this issue is no different than any other resolution that we vote on tonight or ever,” Belfiglio said. “I think it’s an important issue. It’s only a one-house bill, fine, let’s get the Assembly to carry a bill, too.”
The resolution was adopted on a relatively close 13 to 9 vote.
One dead in car crash off Rt. 17 in Wurtsboro
May 17, 2024
