Statement from Senator Seward

ALBANY, 01/14/13 – State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I-Oneonta) today commented on gun control legislation adopted by the senate:

“The rights of law abiding citizens who use firearms for sport, protection, and collection have suffered a considerable blow.  While the newly minted gun control laws offer some increased penalties for criminal use of guns and take a step toward keeping weapons out of the hands of the mentally ill, they overstep in many ways.

“For the first time, New York will be registering rifles and confiscating private property.  We will do background checks on the simple purchase of a box of .22 ammo for squirrel hunting or target practice.  Someone who puts eight cartridges in his magazine instead of seven will be a felon.  Sadly, these extreme, harsh measures won’t stop criminals from getting guns and using them for illegal purposes.

“These reactionary laws force new, onerous regulations on those who meticulously obey the law and infringe on Second Amendment rights.  Further, we can’t afford to place good paying jobs at a long-standing employer in my district, Remington Arms, in jeopardy.  

“Legislation focused on stopping gun crimes and preventing those at risk of harming themselves and others from obtaining firearms would have been a public safety win.  However, further impeding the rights of law-abiding citizens does nothing to confront gun violence.”

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Additional infomation on the governor's gun control bill is available online by clicking here.