Senator Walczyk Calls For Transparency Over Background Checks

On September 13,  under direction of Governor Kathy Hochul, New York State Police took over the Federal National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) for gun and ammunition purchases. The Office of Senator Walczyk has been bombarded with complaints from false denials to frustrations with the NICS hotline. To say the roll out of this new system has been a disaster is an understatement.

Senator Walczyk is fighting for transparency in this process. He has attempted to contact the NICS hotline where he was connected with someone who identified as “Operator 302”. This person refused to answer any of his questions regarding the background checks. When asked if he was a uniformed New York State Trooper, he said, “I don’t know.” Further attempts to learn information over the NYSP background check process and to arrange meetings were denied. This prompted the Senator to pen a letter to the Governor calling for transparency. 

“Hundreds of Thousands of law-abiding gun owners in New York have the right to know what is going on behind closed doors in these unconstitutional background checks. I need to know; Who are these ‘employees’ working for the New York State Police and what are their qualifications to handle critical personal information of New Yorkers? In 2021, the Governor said her administration would be a ‘new era of transparency’, providing answers to this mess she created would be a good start .”

Senator Walczyk has always been, and will always be, a fierce advocate for second amendment rights in the State of New York. Currently, Senator Walczyk introduced legislation to repeal the fees imposed on residents trying to purchase firearms and ammunition. He is also a co-sponsor to Senator Joe Griffo’s bill, S2635, that would repeal the provisions set forth in the Concealed Carry Improvement Act.

Attached is the letter that Senator Mark Walczyk sent to the Governor’s office. At the time of this release, the office of Senator Walczyk has not received a response or acknowledgement from the Governor’s office. 

Senator Mark Walczyk represents the 49th Senate District, which includes the entire counties of Jefferson, Lewis, Hamilton and Fulton. As well as parts of Oswego, St. Lawrence, and Herkimer counties. Sign up for exclusive updates from the Senator via his weekly newsletter by clicking HERE or by emailing walczyk@nysenate.gov.