New York State Recreational Survey raises concerning questions.
Recently, some of our members in parts of New York State have received a survey from what claims to be the “New York State Office of Addiction and Supports.” SCOPE has inquired with NYSOAS if this is legitimate or a scam, as there are some questionable aspects to it, but has not yet received a reply.
The survey offers respondents a gift card and claims that answers will be kept confidential. However, the survey contains your address and a bar code that could conceivably be used to identify anyone who answers.
Please note that several of the questions on the survey, if answered, could render you ineligible for a pistol permit if the information is later shared with a licensing agency. The survey claims that answers will be held confidential. However, under New York State Freedom of Information (FOIL) Law, “every New York State or municipal department, board, bureau, division, commission, committee, public authority, public corporation, council, office or other governmental entity performing a governmental or proprietary function” is subject to the open records law. FOIL is based on a “presumption of access,” meaning that all records are accessible, except records or portions of records that fall within one of eleven categories of deniable records (NY FOIL §87[2]).
Please also remember that New York is a “Red Flag” law state, meaning that “individuals who show signs of being a threat to themselves or others” can be prevented from purchasing or possessing any kind of firearm.
Based on this, we recommend that any member of S.C.O.P.E. who receives this survey proceed at their own risk. Several of our members have already said that they plan to throw the survey, and the gift cards, into the trash and not respond. This may be a wise decision. Fifteen dollars is a very cheap price for your rights of privacy and to keep and bear arms.
Again, proceed at your own risk!
It should be also noted that laws are being proposed to require a mental health examination be taken and passed in order to purchase any firearm or ammunition. Be very careful about anything you put in writing – even the smallest comment might be used against you at some future date.
