New law would repeal SAFE Act in Upstate NY, everywhere but NYC

An Upstate New York state senator wants to repeal the NY SAFE Act everywhere except New York City.

Sen. Rob Ortt, R-North Tonawanda, says if NYC can have different rules for things like ride sharing apps and minimum wage, gun control legislation should be the same way.

"It's certainly much more popular or much better received in the city," Ortt told Spectrum News.

The bill has the support of gun rights advocates including the New York State Rifle and Pistol Association. It was initially proposed at the end of last session, but Ortt thinks it will get more attention now.

"This is the first time since I've been there ... that I've really started to hear some real conversation from rank and file members about a certain repeal bill," he said.

Ortt thinks his bill will get enough support in the state Senate, but he knows that getting it through the Democratic-controlled Assembly, and getting Gov. Andrew Cuomo to sign it, will be more challenging.

"The SAFE Act hasn't done anything to save anybody," Ortt told WXXI. "I dare anyone to show me a correlation between a reduction in gun violence in New York State and the SAFE Act."

Lawmakers on the other side of the aisle don't see the bill going anywhere.