Compromising our Rights Away by LTC (R) John R. Elwood
One of the Left’s gun control strategies is to propose a radical law and then get Republicans to ‘compromise’ on it with a bipartisan law that is only ‘half radical.’ The Republican will brag as if he had done something good while the Left knows they have successfully taken another step toward destroying our constitutional rights.
Assemblyman Scott Gray (R-Watertown) fell victim to this scam when he announced his Bill A8161 which proposes that a background check for the initial purchase of ammunitions would still be required in NY State, however, upon approval, a certification will be issued that can be used for a twelve-month period. So, you still have to go through the unconstitutional and costly background check, but only once a year. You will still have to have government approval to buy ammo.
Gray announced that the intent of A.8161is to minimize the delay and confusion surrounding the new restrictions. But it leaves the cause of the delay in place! Hochul will have, again, successfully spit on the Supreme Court’s decisions and now has a Republican Assemblyman’s approval, giving Republicans less reason to fight this law.
Gray even uses the time-worn leftist description: “…this common-sense compromise.”
Perhaps it is common sense to Gray but it is a sell out to those who believe in the Constitution.
SCOPE member and Jefferson-Lewis Chapter Vice Chair and retired Army Lieutenant Colonel John Elwood started his Thanksgiving by writing to Assemblyman Gray, in opposition.
Thursday Morning, November, 23, 2023
Dear Assemblyman Gray,
You are on the wrong side advocating for A8161. It is not enough to reduce the burden of new ammunition purchase restrictions on law-abiding gun owners in New York State. In fact, the burden of a $2.50 fee on the sale of ammunition for every ammunition purchase is a secondary consideration. Why? Because, now law-abiding New York State gun owners go out of state to purchase ammunition. The REAL violation is that the ammunition background check is a BACKDOOR registration! We all know the next step after registration is CONFISCATION! A complete repeal of the Concealed Carry Improvement Act (CCIA) is REQUIRED! Be a leader and lead that fight!
Every Republican compromise on a gun control bill, leads to further entrenchment of that controversial law, and then it becomes harder to get rid of. That is exactly what is occurring now with your bill A8161. You are not supporting the Second Amendment with your bill! STAND for the Second Amendment!
You state, “protecting the rights of gun owners while executing proper constitutional safety protocols is a delicate balance”. Gun owners have been buying ammunition without background checks for hundreds of years without constitutional concerns. Your explanation does not carry water. Leading is not about compromising or building consensus. It is about doing what is RIGHT, and advocating for A8161 is NOT right!
If you really want to be a real leader, lead the fight that is important, and that is the fight to repeal the Concealed Carry Improvement Act! If you do that, you will have the support of law-abiding gun owners all over New York State!
I hope you and your family have a happy Thanksgiving!
With Honor and Respect,
LTC (R) John R. Elwood
SCOPE firmly opposes A8161 and encourages SCOPE members to follow Elwood’s example and write your Assemblyperson and Senator, especially if they are Republican and might also fall for this scam, and explain that we don’t compromise our rights away, we stand for them.
