By Larry Keane
New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul is just two months into her term and not wasting time renewing a sham gun control effort that began under her predecessor, disgraced former Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
The original order carried a taxpayer price tag of $160 million to target crime hotspots, engage youth, declare a gun control “border war” at the state line and rebuild police relations with the community. It was bluster so Gov. Cuomo could say he was treating crime with the same level of attention as a health emergency.
Except he didn’t and neither is Gov. Hochul. Only one-third has been used to address “gun violence” in what both administrations call an urgent “epidemic.” Gov. Hochul’s spokesperson said, “Gov. Hochul will continue to work…to end the gun violence epidemic, including job training, community engagement and more intervention programs.”
Gov. Hochul is extending it even though $50 million has yet to be allocated. Local reports stated, “Most of the $159 million promised has been allocated, although not yet spent.”
The declaration included a promise that $18.5 million would create 2,400 long-term jobs, “in communities distressed by gun violence.” The program has only created about 20 jobs so far.
Neither governor focused on holding criminals committing crimes accountable. New York-based government watchdog groups called foul. They labeled Gov. Cuomo’s original announcement a means to both “hold on to power” and to distract from his “ongoing controversies.”
The new governor decided to keep the charade going.
Failing Policies
It was the wrong approach when former Gov. Cuomo declared a “disaster emergency” as his attempt to again address crime. There was never an administration policy reversal for releasing volent criminals from prison with a slap on the wrist. Some were incarcerated for committing murder.
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Gov. Cuomo peddled gun control talking points, even repeating the debunked lie that, “The only industry in the United States of America immune from lawsuits are the gun manufacturers,” when he announced the emergency order. His declared gun violence “emergency declaration” didn’t do anything other than infringe on the lawful rights of New York residents who are only interested in self-defense. Gov. Hochul is following the same playbook.
Failing Grade
Gov. Hochul is a former Congresswoman from Western New York and had previously received an “A” rating from the NRA during her one term in Congress. She once told a gun rights audience, “When a bill comes up that affects your Second Amendment rights, I’m on your side.” Times, and her commitment to gun rights, have changed.
Her efforts to reduce criminal misuse of firearms, or “gun violence” as she and her gun control allies term it, in the Empire State are abysmal. She’s in lockstep with Gov. Cuomo’s plan. She’s continuing the declared “disaster emergency” in New York that Gov. Cuomo launched, including prisoner release programs and targeting lawful firearm manufacturers by attempting to circumvent the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) with New York’s new law allowing lawsuits against manufacturers and retailers for the criminal misuse by remote third parties of lawfully sold firearms.
New York is facing a trifecta of failing gun policies. The state has among the nation’s strictest gun control laws; the governor continues chasing an ineffective gun control “disaster emergency” that has spent millions of taxpayer dollars to create gun control jobs; and threatens legal firearm manufacturers and retailers. Not a single word has been offered as to how New York will enforce existing criminal laws.
Larry Keane is Senior Vice President of Government and Public Affairs and General Counsel for the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the firearms industry trade association.
Get the firearms out of the hands of minorities.
You mean like Massad Ayoob, who is of Syrian descent?
Aw, c’mon man. 20 jobs out of a proposed 2400 is pretty good for NY. Hochul, like Andy and the rest of her party, at the only public health emergency in the state.
Execute the violent repeat offenders. I know, too draconian now, but give it 10 years.
Here’s a thought – if you’re going to declare a “public health emergency”, how about quarantining the perpetrators until they are no longer a threat?
Good idea and can I add allowing adolescent abortions to that….
Great article on the new tyrant of New York. Hochul is worse than Cuomo ( if you can believe it) on protecting freedoms. She is disregarding the constitution and forcing people to quit their job, get fired, or get jabbed while taking away 2nd amendment rights. Tyranny is rampant in the highest taxed state in the nation. Hochul is not good for New York.