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New York state\u2019s recent gun law changes impacted the Chautauqua County American Legion\u2019s annual Sept. 11 terrorist attacks remembrance ceremony.<\/p>\n
Commander Mattie McIntyre of the American Legion Post 434 said the American Legion Honor Guard was forced to perform a three-volley salute from across the street from the county courthouse at the Crosby Market due to new gun restrictions on public spaces passed by the state Legislature in July and signed into law shortly thereafter by Gov. Kathy Hochul. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe recent laws signed into effect by the New York state governor now prevent any weapons, including ceremonial weapons, to be fired on public property,\u201d<\/span> McIntyre said. \u201cNot only does this law affect ceremonies such as the 9\/11 ceremony, but also will prevent Memorial Day ceremonies, and most importantly, military honors at the graveside of our veterans.\u201d<\/span> <\/p>\n State Assemblyman Andrew Goodell, R-Jamestown, described the ceremony as a \u201cbeautiful and fitting memorial service.\u201d<\/span> The ceremony was attended by veterans, county legislators, County Executive PJ Wendel and Goodell. <\/p>\n Wendel\u2019s speech highlighted the direct impact 9\/11 had on Chautauqua County, as Amy King of Celoron lost her life on one of the planes. He also reminded the crowd that many county residents traveled to New York City in the aftermath of the attack to help those in need. <\/p>\n Goodell explained the Freedom Tower, built after 9\/11, stands as a \u201cbeacon\u201d<\/span> of the \u201cresilience and determination and freedom\u201d<\/span> of America. While local representatives honored the memory of the lives lost on 9\/11, Goodell said the ceremony was significantly impacted by the state\u2019s recent gun laws. Goodell said the American Legion pointed out at the beginning of the ceremony that the state\u2019s new gun law designates public property as gun-free zones. As a result, the 21-gun salute could not be conducted outside the county courthouse. The coordinator explained the legion made arrangements prior to the event with the local gas station in order to perform the 21-gun salute from across the street. <\/p>\n \u201cThat travesty was repeated all across New York state,\u201d<\/span> Goodell said. \u201cCan you imagine that? You cannot do a 21-gun salute in Memorial Park on Memorial Day or Lakeview Cemetery on Memorial Day.\u201d<\/span> <\/p>\n Goodell said the \u201crushed\u201d<\/span> nature of the legislation is the reason for the \u201cunintended consequences\u201d<\/span> of the state\u2019s new gun laws. He said the legislation was pushed through without public comment and without the chance for lawmakers to fully understand the implications of the law. <\/p>\n \u201cTo give you an idea how rushed this legislation was, the governor called us back in the special session on Thursday at noon, and the bill had not been printed,\u201d<\/span> he said. \u201cWe didn\u2019t get a copy of the bill until (Sept. 9) at 11 a.m. The bill wasn\u2019t even printed until a day later, and then we began debate on the bill that afternoon. It was passed in late afternoon, leaving absolutely no time whatsoever for any public input or evaluation.\u201d<\/span> <\/p>\n Goodell claims the new gun laws only target citizens who have a pistol permit, have been subjected to background checks and have no criminal record. He warned that the \u201cramifications\u201d<\/span> of the legislation far exceed the state\u2019s intention to reduce gun violence. According to Goodell, the state\u2019s problem with gun violence is not caused by law-abiding citizens with pistol permits and safety training.<\/p>\n \u201cIn fact, nationwide, less than one-10th of 1% of murders are caused by someone who has a pistol permit,\u201d<\/span> he said. \u201cYou are more likely to die in a bicycle accident than at the hands of somebody who has a pistol permanent.\u201d<\/span> <\/p>\n Goodell explained that during the debate on the bill, when a lawmaker asked the bill\u2019s sponsor for any data concerning people killed by a citizen with a valid pistol permit in the state, no information could be found. Additionally, he said there is no evidence of anyone in the state being injured or killed by veterans performing a 21-gun salute at a Memorial Day, 9\/11 ceremony, or funeral event. According to the assemblyman, the new gun laws reflect the same problems caused by the \u201cmiddle of the night\u201d<\/span> passage of the SAFE Act in 2013. He recalled the incident that occurred after the bill was enacted which required lawmakers to quickly amend the law after it was discovered the law had banned the pistols used by state troopers and law enforcement organizations throughout the state. <\/p>\n \u201cThis is why laws should be carefully evaluated,\u201d<\/span> Goodell said. \u201cWe should seek public input and comment. We should act in a careful, thoughtful manner, and we should not pass legislation in a knee-jerk reaction to address a non-existent problem, namely the improper use of a pistol by licensed pistol holders. It\u2019s virtually a non-existent issue.\u201d<\/span> <\/p>\n In addition to the Legion\u2019s concern of how the gun laws impact 21-gun salutes honoring America\u2019s heroes, Goodell said the laws are also concerning for churches. Under state law, pistol permit holders are no longer allowed to carry guns in churches, leading local churches to question how they would be able to respond to a potential shooting situation. <\/p>\n \u201cUnder this law, if any of those licensed pistol permit holders took out a gun and stopped the slaughter they would be arrested for a felony,\u201d<\/span> he said. \u201cThat\u2019s how you turn heroes into felons.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The assemblyman said he has already been contacted by local churches concerned with the implications of the state\u2019s recent law. The new gun law also bans guns in public places such as libraries, museums and zoos. Goodell said shootings have not historically been a problem in any of those locations. The law also restricts high school trap and shooting programs, which Goodell believes could be detrimental to the next generation learning how to safely and accurately handle guns. He believes lawmakers should hold criminals accountable for illegally using guns, rather than pass laws limiting the use of guns by pistol permit users and law-abiding citizens. <\/p>\n Goodell explained that both he and state Sen. George Borrello, R-Sunset Bay, are leading efforts to amend the state\u2019s law. A bill has already been introduced to limit the restrictions of the state\u2019s gun laws. On the other hand, Goodell believes a large portion of the state\u2019s gun law will be declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. <\/p>\n \u201cI think this law will go to the Supreme Court and I think the vast majority of the law will be thrown out,\u201d<\/span> he said. \u201cIt\u2019s patently, clearly, obviously and maybe even intentionally unconstitutional.\u201d<\/span> <\/p>\n Goodell and Borrello have introduced legislation to restore judicial discretion of bail for criminal actions. The Republican lawmakers argue reforming the state\u2019s criminal justice process could be more effective than the recent gun law.<\/p>\n
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