ELIZABETHTOWN, N.Y. -
For two months, New Yorkers have been living with stricter gun laws Governor Andrew Cuomo quickly signed into law.
The details are still being worked out, but many gun owners in our part of the state say the law is unconstitutional.
Firearms advocates want the State Legislature to repeal all of the so called "Safe Act" ...and today the Essex County Town Supervisors got one step closer.
It was the string of mass shootings that led New York to tighten its gun laws, basically overnight. But many New Yorkers want to back track and have a conversation about this first.
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In the heart of the Adirondacks, hunting is a way of life.
"I'm 63 years old; I've hunted all my life," Lari Trapasso said, of Moriah, NY.
New Yorkers clinging tight to their gun rights want their legislators to back them in their position against the safe act.
"This law is just ridiculous," Trapasso said.
The "Safe Act" passed quickly after the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre. Here's what it includes: A limit of ammunition magazines to no more than seven rounds, a ban on semi automatic weapons, required background checks and gun owners to renew permits every five years.
"To stop the crime, you need to go after the criminal, not the law abiding citizen," Richard Redman of Moriah, NY said.
And Monday, all 18 Essex County Town Supervisors agreed. They passed a resolution saying they want the act repealed. So what's next? They'll all get together again in one week, listen to public comment and then officially vote. If passed, they'll present their resolution to the legislature.
"Most of us are having an issue with, that it occurred so fast," Daniel Palmer said, Essex County Manager said.
Now not everyone who spoke is opposed to the entire bill, some people think background checks are a good idea, so what they'd like to see is it repealed and then go back to the drawing board to draft a new bill.
No one at the meeting spoke in support of the "Safe Act," but we know those in favor are hopeful this law keeps guns out of the hands of violent criminals.
At that meeting on March 18th there will be a presentation from the Essex County Sheriff, he says this law wouldn't have stopped the Sandy Hook massacre and agrees a new bill needs to be written.
The meeting will be at six PM at the Old County Courthouse in Elizabethtown.
