Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) is marking the anniversary of the NY SAFE Act by calling for a full repeal of the gun control law. Recently, a court ruling struck down part of the SAFE Act, but Blankenbush wants a full repeal, citing the difficulty enforcing the law and its encroachment on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.

“The so-called SAFE Act has unduly punished law-abiding gun owners for political gain, and it’s time to repeal it in full,” said Blankenbush. “The governor’s gun control law is not only unconstitutional, it is an ineffective and insincere attempt to curb gun violence. I stand with law-abiding gun owners in my district and across the state to push for a full repeal and protection of their Second Amendment rights.”

Of the 1,291 SAFE Act arrests, a staggering 84 percent occurred in New York City. Blankenbush says this statistic proves that illegal gun use is a problem in New York’s large cities, not in upstate communities like those found in the North Country and the Mohawk Valley.

The gun control law focuses on weapons with cosmetic alterations, which are inaccurately referred to as “militarized.” Many county sheriffs feel the law is overreaching.

Problems continue to arise with the gun control law, especially in the case of the unfinished statewide database for ammunition background checks. The delay is causing a backlog in legal bullet sales, but many gun shop owners have said they may discontinue ammunition sales altogether, due to the cost and difficulties the stringent gun rules place on ammunition sale transactions.

“The governor’s gun control law is a failure all around. It’s time to repeal the law and protect our citizens’ constitutional rights, ensure law enforcement can focus on community safety, and small-business owners can freely and lawfully engage in commerce,” concluded Blankenbush.