07/21/09 - Upstate Mayors Stand Against Thune Amendment
THE THUNE AMENDMENT
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 soon be up for a vote 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 long standing 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 can not 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 us 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, Middletown, 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 commonsense invalidates it.
Submitted by Mayors: Gerald Jennings, City of Albany, Ann M. Thane, City of Amsterdam, Marlinda Duncanson, City of Middletown, Robert Maciol, Village of New York Mills, Brian Stratton, City of Schenectady, Matthew J. Driscoll, City of Syracuse, and David Roefaro, City of Utica.
They are members of Mayors Against Illegal Guns
