Ritchie Asks Gun Owners to Help ‘Stamp Out Microstamping’

Calls Assembly Efforts to Link Issue to State Budget a ‘Sneak Attack” on Gun Rights; Launches Online Petition to Let Sportsmen’s Voices Be Heard

*** CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE PETITION AGAINST MICROSTAMPING ***

State Senator Patty Ritchie wants sportsmen to join her fight to “Stamp Out Microstamping” after Assembly leaders sought to make the controversial technique a state budget issue, linking it with state school aid, relief for property taxpayers and efforts to create jobs.

Senator Ritchie announced she’s created an online petition for sportsmen to express their displeasure with the Assembly’s efforts.  

“Advocates for gun control have so far failed in their efforts to force the costly and unproven microstamping technology on lawful gun owners and sportsmen, but this year, they’re trying a new tact, linking it to the state budget,” Senator Ritchie said.

“But even the most hardened gun foe can’t believe that microstamping has anything to do with budget issues like school aid, property tax relief for homeowners and economic development, and they’re using this sneak attack to force their radical, anti-gun and anti-sportsmen agenda,” Senator Ritchie said.

The Assembly included the microstamping requirement in its budget plan which, along with the Senate’s own plan and Governor Cuomo’s proposal set the framework for a final budget due on April 1. Neither the Senate nor the Governor included microstamping in their plans.

Senator Ritchie pledged to defeat the Assembly’s plan in meetings earlier this week with sportsmen and gun advocates, including representatives of the NYS Rifle and Pistol Association and the NRA, which awarded her its top “A” rating in 2010. The Senator is a lifetime shooter, and also has held a hunting license for years.

The microstamping issue arises as the Senate passed two bills that seek increased penalties for criminals who use firearms; S.1407B would make any use of a firearm in any crime a Class B violent felony, with a penalty of up to 25 years in prison; S. 2169A would add additional prison time to a criminal who uses a firearm in a crime where a child is present.

“Instead of targeting criminals who use firearms, the anti-gun crowd continues to set their sights on lawful gun owners and, this year, raised their attacks to new heights by attempting to link the issue to others that have nothing to do with guns, hunting, crime or the outdoors,” Senator Ritchie said.

“That effort deserves to be denounced in the strongest way, and I’m asking concerned sportsmen to raise their voice with me to stop the attacks on law-abiding sportsmen.”

*** CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE PETITION AGAINST MICROSTAMPING ***