One size doesn't fit all, especially when it
comes to The Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2009, otherwise known as the
Thune Amendment, which will up for a vote today in the U.S.
Senate.
The Thune Amendment has one purpose -- to
pass an across-the-board, one-size-fits-all gun carrying permit law,
irrespective of every states' rights, wishes and laws. Even more troubling, the
Thune Amendment seeks passage by circumventing the leadership and understanding
of our local leaders -- the ones who know our state, the ones who know what we
need, the ones who know one size doesn't fit
all.
If passed, the
Thune Amendment would impede New York from protecting its citizens with
sensible, constitutional and longstanding laws and regulations regarding the
carrying of hidden handguns. But this isn't about the guns. It's about the
criminals who will thrive should this proposal become
law.
Right now, local law enforcement in
New York state
has discretion over the issuance of concealed carry permits. The Thune Amendment
would make it legal for individuals who cannot qualify for a permit in
New York state to shop around for the lower
standards of other states, circumventing New York's
laws.
Picture this -- it would be legal for
illegal gun traffickers to travel across the country with loaded
handguns.
Scratching your head yet? So are mayors
around New
York.
For us, it's frightening to envision the new
obstacles police could encounter when the world of legal and illegal guns no
longer exist as one or the other, but rather one in the
same.
Under the proposed law, a trafficker holding
an out-of-state permit would be able to drive along the streets of cities like
Albany, Amsterdam,
Schenectady, Syracuse or Utica with a trunk full of loaded guns,
enjoying immunity from police, unless actually caught selling to another
criminal.
We know it doesn't make sense, but that's
where you come in.
A vote on the Thune Amendment is imminent.
This legislation would effectively gut existing New York state laws. Senators need to hear
your voices. Call U.S. Senator Charles Schumer at (202)
224-6542 and Kirsten Gillibrand at (202) 224-4451. Tell them you oppose the
Thune Amendment and the way in which it seeks to evade our voices, our state's
rights and our own wishes.
As mayors, we know there's no time to
waste.
Citizens don't deserve the Thune Amendment.
Mayors and police oppose it, and common sense invalidates
it.
Mayors Matthew J. Driscoll of Syracuse,
Gerald Jennings of Albany, Ann M. Thane of Amsterdam, Marlinda Duncanson of
Middletown, Robert Maciol of New York Mills, Brian Stratton of Schenectady and
David Roefaro of Utica. All are members of Mayors Against Illegal
Guns.