Courts must finally rule On discretionary licensing
Dear Editor:
Subject: Thoughts on A brief History of NYPD gun license corruption
I grew up in NYC, lived there for many years, departed in disgust in 1967, without a backward glance. That said, in my opinion, absent badly needed corrective action by City Council, the state legislature, or state courts, there are exactly 4 chances of real reform of The Pistol License Bureau: Fat, Slim, Little and No.
Where this leaves the law-abiding is as follows: The federal courts, spelled the US Supreme Court, obviously need to step up and declare the Sullivan Law in particular, discretionary licensing or permitting in general, to be what they clearly are, blatant violations of constitutional guarantees, and therefore null and void. Unfortunately, the court continues, notwithstanding Heller, to duck the question so obviously needing to be addressed.
Currently, the Court has agreed to hear arguments on a portion of New York’s ridiculous statute/administrative regime. While some might applaud this, who knows how the court might rule, this case is plainly an example of nibbling at the margins, though it is necessary to start somewhere.
At some point is time, who knows when, the Court might actually consider the constitutional validity of the legislative abomination that is New York’s Sullivan Law. More than likely, I will be long gone from the scene at that juncture. No matter this, as a correct finding will see the long overdue demise of the Sullivan Law, and the practice of discretionary permitting/licensing, or the requirement for permits/licenses in general, which would greatly benefit future generations. One hopes that the Court will act as above described, for such action is very long overdue.
Alan Schultz
Allison Park, PA
Gun laws don’t work For the criminal class
Dear Editor:
It was interesting to see the Buffalo News article that homicides spiked in 2018. This is after the SAFE Act had been in effect for six years. New York Governor Cuomo bragged that this was the law that would greatly reduce “gun violence.” As usual, he was wrong about that. Now, he wants to make the law more restrictive and will come up with similar results.
In the first place, none of these laws will do anything to reduce the criminal misuse of guns. Most of the guns used in criminal activities are obtained the same way addicts get illegal drugs. They buy them on the street. Some do buy them by passing a background check which indicates that the check is just an inconvenience to the killer.
Now, the governor wants more useless restrictions added to those already proved to be of little use to stem violence. Most of the law affects only the law abiding citizen. A false report by a hospital, doctor, social worker or some medical practitioners can cause a person to lose four constitutional and civil rights without due process.
Not only that, they are put on the Federal NICS list which disqualifies them from owning a gun. It is extremely difficult and expensive to be removed even when the mistake is confirmed by a judge. The simple reason the SAFE Act and new laws are ineffective is because criminals don’t obey laws. Obviously, the politicians are not smart enough to figure that out.
Respectfully
Budd Schroeder
1791 Society PAC.
Lancaster, NY
*Copy of letter to the editors of The Buffalo News.
