Senate Bill S1386/Assembly Bill A00479

From the senate bill:

To clarify that the taking of deer, bear, small game, fish and wild upland game birds by crossbow is akin to the taking of such game by a longbow; removes restrictions related to the maximum peak draw weight and minimum limb width; establishes parity in relation to the minimum distance with which a crossbow could be discharged from an occupied structure consistent with that of a longbow; clarifies use of a crossbow in relation to the hunter safety course be presented as part of the bow hunter education course; and permits the use of a crossbow by youth hunters 12 and 13 years of age.

A link to the senate bill is here and the assembly bill is here

The New York Crossbow Coalition has provided a sample letter to use when contacting your representatives in support of the bill.

Sample Letter to support amendments for Crossbow Hunting

Tuesday, February 21 at Zaloga Post 7pm

4 Everett Rd. Ext, Albany 12205

Our meetings are now on the 3rd Tuesday of each month.

Agenda to include:

• Report on adopted family
• Report on Albany gun show
• Chapter's new website  cdscope-20240625-1.satemporary.store
• Update of events at SCOPE state board level
• Discussion of new legislative session
• Pistol license recertification
• Election of Officers at March 21st meeting.  Members in good standing are encouraged to run for a seat on the board.
• Report of nominations committee

Assembly Bill A2260 would require all firearms owners in New York State to purchase a liability insurance policy of not less than $250,000. The bill would require a firearms owner to obtain the insurance prior to possession of the firearm, and maintain insurance continuously during ownership of the firearm, or risk the revocation to possess firearms in New York State.

NYS Assembly Bill A2260 would amend insurance law and is currently in assembly committee.

Contact your legislators and tell them no on A2260.

Presented by Columbia County Clerk Holly C. Tanner Saturday, Feb 25, 2017 10:00am – Noon at Columbia-Greene Community College

4400 NY23, Hudson NY.  In the Theater, parking in A or B lots.

Special guest Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin.

Invited guests include Congressman John Faso, Senator Kathy Marchione, Assemblyman Pete Lopez and Assemblywoman Didi Barrett.

H.R. 38 To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide a means by which nonresidents of a State whose residents may carry concealed firearms may also do so in the State.

What does H.R. 38 actually do

The full text of the bill is available here H.R. 38. The bill is iintended to make concealed carry permits/licenses usable across state boundaries. If you are fortunate enough to have a pistol permit/concealed carry permit then you are aware that knowing where your permit is valid can be difficult. Entire web sites are dedicated to informing permit holders where it is valid handgunlaw.us.

Some highlights from the bill

It does not establish a federal permit, it relies on existing state permits.

H.R. 38 does not create a federal pistol permit system. The only valid permits are those issued by the states or localities. According to the bill, if a state or locality issues a permit then it must accept as valid another state’s issued permit.

It treats all permits that allow concealed carry as equal

H.R. 38 has no text describing the requirements of a concealed carry permit. It relies on each state’s permit process to determine if someone is eligible.

It does not pre-empt existing state restrictions on where permits are valid

H.R. 38 does not remove a state’s or locality’s ability to restrict where permits are valid. H.R. 38 only gives the permit holder the same abilities as the localities permit holder.

Capital District SCOPE Legislators that support H.R. 38

The bill is being sponsored by 3 congressional representatives with in Capital District SCOPE’s region. John Faso(R) 19, Elise Stefanik(R) 21, Claudia Tenney(R) 22 are listed as co-sponsors on the bill.

Contact your legislators to tell them what you think.

H.R. 38 status

The Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 or H.R. 38 has been referred to House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.

Brunswick Sportsmen’s Club has postponed a Presentation on New York State’s Pistol Permit Recertification due to the likelihood of inclement weather.

The presentation was to take place on February 13th. A new date has not been set.

On Thursday 2/2/17, the U.S. House passed H.J. Res. 40, a joint resolution to revoke the Social Security gun ban enacted by the Obama administration on December 19.  John Faso (R) 19th congressional district and Elise Stefanik (R) 21st congressional district voted to protect Social Security recipients ability to purchase firearms.

Here is the vote totals from the H.J. Res 40

Although county clerks already have the responsibility to maintain pistol/revolver license records, in January 2017 the New York State Police began sending letters to handgun license holders with directions for submitting the license recertification form that is now required under the UnSAFE Act.  For licenses issued before January 15, 2013, the legal deadline to submit the recertification form to the NY State Police is by or before January 31, 2018.

Capital District SCOPE encourages you NOT to submit the form this year (2017) and NOT to submit the information electronically.  Wait until January 2018 to submit the paper form by mail.  Make a copy to keep, and use certified mail return receipt so that you have proof of your mailing and receipt by the New York State Police.

Why not use the electronic form on the State Police website?

• Submitting the form electronically on the State Police website is an option that helps them to effortlessly compile the “pristine” database that is their goal to create.  Since Governor Cuomo and the legislature did not have the people’s best interest at heart when the UnSAFE Act was rammed through and passed in 2013, they do not deserve our clerical assistance in this matter.

Why wait until January 2018?

• Much can happen in the 2017 legislative session and throughout the entire year that could affect this law in one way or another… Time will tell.

• The arrival of hundreds of thousands of forms all at once will overwhelm the office and send a message of coordinated resistance.

• Wait to learn what responses are received by those who respond early.

If, when, and how you submit the form are decisions that each handgun owner has to make.  For those considering noncompliance, understand this may result in the loss of all your firearms and possibly a year in jail.  Many methods of challenging this unjust and unconstitutional law are being considered.  We encourage you to become actively involved in effective Second Amendment organizations to support this effort.

– Capital District SCOPE Board of Directors