OXFORD – An estimated 300 area residents turned out at the Oxford Rod and Gun Club last night for an educational forum on the NY SAFE Act presented by Assemblyman Clifford W. Crouch. Chenango County Sheriff Ernest R. Cutting Jr., Chenango County Clerk Mary C. Weidman, and Shooters Committee on Political Education (SCOPE) President Steve Aldstadt were also on hand to speak and answers questions.
“I’m as frustrated as you are,” said Crouch in his opening remarks. “Many in this room are law abiding citizens that essentially became criminals overnight.”
Crouch went on to describe the turnout at the last rally opposing the SAFE Act in Albany, and how the numbers portrayed by the media were not accurate, and did not take into account busloads of people that came to protest the legislation from across the state. He hopes, he added, that the turnout for the June 11 rally in Albany will make an even greater impact.
Sheriff Cutting noted in his remarks that the SAFE Act is one of the most important issues facing communities and municipalities today. He explained that he swore an oath the uphold the Constitution, yet also an oath to uphold the laws of New York State, and the SAFE Act creates a problem. Cutting went on to point out that New York is the fourth safest state in the country, as well as the safest “large” state. The SAFE Act, he added, will not stop evil people.
“If you’re doing the right thing, you should never have to be affected by the government,” Cutting proclaimed. “I stand with you.”
County Clerk Mary C. Weidman stated that there have been more pistol permits issued through the first four months of 2013 than in the final seven months of 2012.
“People are definitely responding,” Weidman said. “We have updated our webpage where you will be able to find some forms and information.” Weidman went on to say that her office has been very busy as a result of the influx of permits and jovially said the lines might soon be similar to the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Aldstadt, president of SCOPE, said there is “nothing about this [the SAFE Act] that makes us any safer.”
“There were 7.5 million New York State votes cast this last election. There are six million gun owners in New York State. Get registered, get involved. They [the government] don’t want you to understand that. Know who you have to vote out and do it. You have the power to get rid of Cuomo in 2014.”
Aldstadt added, “I have never seen this type of public reaction before. The governor thought you’d get over it ... he didn’t think 12,000 of us would show up in Albany in February.”
