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Congressman Chris Collins, R-NY 27th District, with offices in Geneseo and Lancaster in Western New York, introduced a bill in Congress that would preserve Second Amendment rights by limiting the states authority to ban certain rifles and shotguns through state and local legislation.

If passed by both houses and signed by the President, the bill could void much of the SAFE Act.

In a statement released on July 31, Congressman Collins announced introduction of the Second Amendment Guarantee Act (SAGA). Congressman Collins, who originally hails from Schenectady, proposed new measures for protecting Second Amendment rights by introducing legislation to limit state authority when it comes to regulating rifles and shotguns, commonly used by sportsmen and sportswomen.

SAGA was crafted to stop states from enacting and enforcing regulations of rifles and shotguns that are more restrictive than what is required by federal law. Upon passage of this bill most of the language included in New York States Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement (SAFE) Act of 2013 signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo would be void.

According to a press release from Congressman Collins, Governor Cuomos SAFE Act violates federal regulation and the following provisions would be void under the proposed legislation:

Cuomos SAFE Act expanded rifle and shotgun bans to include semi-automatic guns with detachable magazines that possess certain features.

The Cuomo SAFE Act banned the capacity of magazines that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition. It further limited magazines to seven rounds at any time.

This legislation would protect the Second Amendment rights of New Yorkers that were unjustly taken away by Andrew Cuomo, said Collins. I stand with the law-abiding citizens of this state that have been outraged by the SAFE Act and voice my commitment to roll back these regulations.

In the Collins bill, states or local governments would not be able to regulate, prohibit or require registration and licensing (that are any more restrictive under Federal law) for the sale, manufacturing, importation, transfer, possession or marketing of a rifle or shotgun. Additionally, rifle or shotgun includes any part of the weapon including any detachable magazine or ammunition feeding devise and any type of pistol grip or stock design.

Under this legislation, any current or future laws enacted by a state or political subdivision that exceeds federal law for rifles and shotguns would be void.

When Congressman Collins announced the legislation on July 31, he was accompanied by supporters of Second Amendment rights from the Hamburg Rod & Gun Club, Rochester Brooks Gun Club, representatives from SCOPE, Erie County Sheriff Tim Howard, NYS Senators Rich Funke and Rob Ortt, NYS Assemblyman Peter Lawrence and Erie County Government Officials.

I spoke with Sara Minkel, Communications Director for Congressman Collins, who provided an update; The bill just received two co-sponsors Congressman Tom Reed, R-NYs 23rd District and Congressman David Valadao, R-Hanford, Ca.

She advised the best way to support the SAGA Act, (H.R. 3576), is to contact your local congressman. For our area, Congressman John Faso, R-19 District can be reached at his Washington, DC Office at:

1616 Longworth HOB

Washington, DC 20515

Phone: (202) 225-5614

Fax: (202) 225-1168

While the prospects for passage of SAGA are challenging, those calling for repeal of SAFE through the state legislative mechanism face a much more daunting task.

While the NYS Senate might make some headway, the current make-up of the NYS Assembly will make full repeal highly unlikely. Even if the assembly passed repeal legislation, as long as Governor Cuomo is in office, all he needs do is simply veto the measure with no threat of an override.

Closer to home in Leeds last Saturday, the Columbia Greene Friends of NRA held their annual banquet at Anthonys Banquet Hall.

Local leaders of the state legislature and law enforcement attended to show their support of the Second Amendment and rejection of the NY SAFE Act. Assemblyman Peter Lopez and Stephanie Gardinier, of Senator Kathy Marchiones office, joined Columbia County Sheriff David Bartlett, Greene County Sheriff Greg Seeley, and Senior Colonie Town Justice, Peter Crummey at the event to raise funds for local organizations supporting the shooting sports.

Sheriff Bartlett is seeking re-election in November and Judge Crummey is running for NYS Supreme Court Judge. If you value your Second Amendment rights, you can be assured Sheriff Bartlett and Judge Crummey stand with you on this important issue.

The key organizer of the Columbia-Greene Friends of NRA banquet, Barbara Brandon, declared the event an unequivocal success. About 200 people attended including Columbia County Clerk Holly Tanner, Judge Ron Banks, ECO Lt. Liza Bobseine and local sportsmens representatives.

According to the NRA, Friends of NRA banquets boil down to one goal fund raising for the future of the shooting sports. Since its inception in 1992, Friends of NRA has held more than 17,000 events, reached more than 3 million attendees and raised more than $600 million for the NRA Foundation, a 501 (3) charitable organization.

The proceeds from this banquet were once again raised for the creation or enhancement of local shooting sports programs. Organizations that have received grants in the past include Boy Scout and 4H shooting programs, the Youth Hunter Education Program, Hunters Helping the Hungry, local high schools, sportsmens clubs and law enforcement.

The Kinderhook Sportsmens Club is hosting a Chicken BBQ on Saturday, Aug. 27.

Cost is $12 for adults and $8 for kids under 12.

NY Bowhunters is holding an introductory class at Field & Stream in Latham on Wednesday, Aug. 30, from 6-8 p.m. entitled, Archery 101. To register, call 518-785-3270 and ask to speak to an Archery Associate.

Happy Hunting, and Fishing, and be safe until next time.

You can also share any comments with our sports department at sports@registerstar.com

*If you have a fishing or hunting report, photo, or event you would like to be considered for publication, you can send it to: huntfishreport@gmail.com

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Proposed federal legislation would nullify NY SAFE Act - Hudson Valley 360