The Legislative Gazette – by Kelly Fay
Just one day after the deadline for owners of assault weapons to register their firearms, a Supreme Court justice upheld the constitutionality of the controversial SAFE Act — a set of stricter gun regulations adopted by the state in January 2013 following a shooting in Newtown, Conn. that left more than two dozen dead.
Among other measures, the SAFE Act ensures universal background checks; banned the sale of assault weapons; and required those already in possession of such firearms to register them with the state by April 15. While Second Amendment advocates say it violates personal freedoms, the legislation has been upheld in courts, most recently by state Supreme Court Justice Thomas McNamara in a case brought by Bob Shulz of Queensbury. Shulz — founder and chairman of We the People of New York Inc. — will appeal the decision, the Associated Press reports. Continue reading “SAFE Act opponents suffer setback in court ruling”