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Rep. Joe Giglio of Gowanda stated, "Protecting the heritage of our law-abiding gun owners and other outdoor enthusiasts is a worthwhile fight. When I saw such an overwhelming turnout at (the) event, it was evident that sportsmen from across the state are fed up with the legislation pushed by the downstate Assembly leadership that does everything from increasing fees on hunting and fishing licenses, to imposing further restrictions on law-abiding citizen's right to bear arms."
Comment From A. Charles Parker, NYSCC 2nd Vice President:
I would like to thank Assembly Republican Leader Brian Kolb and his fellow Assembly members and their staff for their organizational efforts with the successful Sportsmen and Outdoor Recreation Legislative Awareness Day. The representation of all the different sportsmen and gun owner groups in attendance, presenting their common interest and goals, was impressive. Seeing a few new faces within the group I was traveling with gives me hope that maybe we are starting to reach some of those sportsmen who were all too silent in the past. This awareness day, as said by many, is one step in a series of necessary steps and opportunities that sportsmen need to participate in that will serve to protect our rights to hunt, fish and trap, and our gun rights. To carry the message forward, we need the continued strong support of the sportsmen in future events such as the NYSCC Sportsmen’s March on Albany, other Council Legislative Days that may be organized, and other common sportsmen events that may be organized by other groups. Bills need to be defeated. Sportsmen’s rights have to be protected. As a sportsman, we all need to do our part as best as we can. Sitting by and letting someone else put forth the effort for the rest of us is not a luxury that any sportsman can afford any more!
Comment From Harold L. Palmer, NYSCC Legislative Vice President:
I would like to praise those sportsmen and gun owners who took the time to show up for the Sportsmen’s and Outdoor Recreation Legislative Awareness day in Albany on January 12th. This was a great turn out for a Monday, as many others could not get the day off from work to attend. Over 2,000 concerned individuals strolled the well of the Legislative Office Building, meeting with members of organizations and businesses that manned display tables; and many met with their legislators or the legislators’ staff. In New York State there are over one million people who hunt, shoot or own a gun; I believe that if they felt their rights were in jeopardy, the majority would take the time to make it to Albany to show solidarity for those who are fighting for their rights. January 12th was the day that sportsmen and gun owners showed appreciation and support for the Assembly members who fight for them.
Wayne LaPierre, NRA Executive Vice President, was one of the speakers. LaPierre focused on making sure criminals are taken off the streets, enforcement of the laws we already have, and not creating more gun laws that affect good people. He also spoke about how letting criminals run the street costs more than keeping them locked up.
Ken Mathison, president of SCOPE, brought up the fact that this is an election year and sportsmen and gun owners need to seek out pro-gun representatives, and elect or re-elect the ones that are on our side.
One thing is for sure: the anti-gun bills that passed the Assembly in 2009 are back, and as I write this the Assembly is looking to pass them again. We do have good communication in the Senate, and it does look good that there are not enough votes in favor of the bills at this time to pass them.
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