By Richard Rossi 

SCOPE members, before we realize it another election will be upon us. This will be a critical election for all of us in NYS - I am not limiting this to gun owners because it impacts all American Citizens living in New York. Now is the time to unite and have a unified agenda to defeat our anti-America establishment in Albany.

Let me be perfectly clear, this is not a time to be ‘Summer Soldiers’ or 'Fair Weather Patriots'. It goes way beyond our Second Amendment Rights and Freedoms. We have also seen Governor Cuomo and our Albany Republicans 'chip away' at our 4th, 5th, 6th, and 14th Amendment guarantees. When the 2nd Amendment is abolished, the rest are sure to follow. Remember, unarmed citizens are not citizens but slaves, and can be easily controlled.

I would like to share something that Ronald Reagan said: "While a Constitution may set forth rights and liberties only the citizens can maintain and guarantee those freedoms. Active and informed citizenship is not just a right; It is a duty.”

In a republic, a Constitution or Charter of Rights protects certain inalienable rights that cannot be taken away by the government, even if it has been elected by a majority of voters. In a "pure democracy," the majority is not restrained in this way and can impose its will on the minority.

The key difference between a Democracy and a Republic lies in the limits placed on government by the law, which has implications for minority rights. Both forms of government tend to use a representational system — i.e., citizens vote to elect politicians to represent their interests and form the government.

For a detailed full explanation of both the differences and similarities, please see the website: https:// www.diffen.com/difference/Democracy_vs_Republic

Remember an informed voter is a citizen. Learn the facts and get involved. Vote, and get others to vote. This is our country - don't let it be taken from us.