• Tom Reynolds, President of Shooters Committee On Political Education, Inc. (S.C.O.P.E.), has issued this second, follow up statement in response to the recent tragedy at the Tops Supermarket, in Buffalo, Erie County, New York:

  On Wednesday, we pointed out how politicians were exploiting this tragedy for their own political purposes.  Since, of course, nothing can stand in the way of leftist politicians when they have the opportunity to “spin” an issue, it becomes necessary that SCOPE to point out some obvious facts, in response. 

  Previously, we referred to the policies of Biden, Hochul and Schumer as their “discredited ideology”.  The shooting at Tops, in Buffalo, provides ample evidence that it is discredited.  It is just the latest example of the complete failure, implicit racism and utter insanity of their gun control ideology.

  According to published reports:

• ·      The alleged shooter made it clear in his online “manifesto” that he chose his location and his intended victims precisely because he knew that New York’s gun control laws would render those victims largely defenseless.  

• ·      He illegally altered his weapon. 

• ·      He ignored the state’s ban on so-called “high capacity” magazines with more than ten rounds and counted on his victims obeying it. 

• ·      He intentionally targeted African Americans, a group that some legal experts say are disproportionately harmed by gun control and New York’s license requirements.    

• ·      He had previously been held for a mental health exam because of prior threats.

We keep repeating an uncontestable truth, criminals do not obey gun control laws.  That old adage is truer than ever, “When guns are outlawed only outlaws will have guns”.  The Tops shooter was counting on that.  This despicable crime succeeded because, not in spite of, futile New York laws.

It is time to end this failed, decades old, experiment and allow law-abiding New Yorkers of all races, creeds and sexes to defend themselves against violence and hate.  New York must follow the lead of other states and expand, not limit, the right to bear arms for self-defense in all locations.  Gun control madness must end now.

SCOPE is a non-partisan statewide 501(c)4 organization dedicated to preserving the Second Amendment rights of residents of New York State.  It is headquartered in Erie County, New York.  Its activities include keeping the public informed on legislation that will affect Americans’ Constitutional right to keep and bear arms, working with government officials to sponsor pro Second Amendment legislation and attending shooting sports events to increase awareness of gun rights.   SCOPE has local chapters throughout the state, with members, male and female, from all walks of life.