Statement by Senator George Borrello on the Extraordinary Legislative Session

“Only days after the Supreme Court struck down New York’s blatantly unconstitutional concealed carry restrictions, the Governor called a one-day ‘extraordinary session’ to supposedly pass a bill to ‘protect’ New Yorkers from the ramifications of the Court’s decision. 

True to Albany’s legendary dysfunction, the Legislature returned to Albany at great taxpayer expense only to find there was no bill to vote on and nothing to do but spend endless hours waiting as the governor and legislative leaders huddled behind closed doors hammering out bills that should have been ready and waiting for discussion and debate when the Legislature convened on Thursday.  

Predictably, this rushed, secretive process produced a terrible gun control bill that will do nothing to make New Yorkers safer and only provide criminals with a sure-fire guarantee that they can go on a rampage in hospitals, schools and other so-called ‘sensitive places’ without fear that a law-abiding, licensed gun owner will intervene to stop the carnage. The idea that a law designating supermarkets or schools as ‘gun-free zones’ would have deterred the Buffalo or Uvalde shooters is patently absurd. 

Especially egregious is the provision that will require business owners to explicitly state whether concealed weapons are permitted on the premises, instantly alienating potential customers who are on the other side of the issue. New York has already created so many obstacles for small businesses in this state, and now they have created a brand new one. 

Other provisions concerning background checks for ammunition purchases, new rules for storing guns in homes and vehicles, and additional training requirements will further burden law-abiding gun owners. Meanwhile, criminals and repeat offenders will remain free to terrorize neighborhoods and roam the streets courtesy of One Party Rule’s disastrous bail and parole ‘reforms.’ There will be no measurable improvements in public safety until these pro-criminal measures are repealed. 

Additionally, although unrestricted abortion rights are already codified in state law under the radical Reproductive Health Act passed in 2019, the governor and majorities also jammed into the agenda a measure that would enshrine abortion under the equal protection clause of New York’s Constitution, simply to try to capitalize politically on the recent Supreme Court decision. This will potentially force Catholic hospitals and other religiously affiliated organizations to provide abortions and other services that violate their beliefs. 

This session was an incompetent display of election-year political theater at its worst. It was notable only for its lack of common-sense legislation and the failure of One Party Rule to take any steps to make New York safer, more affordable or prosperous.” 

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