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The speakers included Mike Green, executive deputy commissioner of the state Division of Criminal Justice Services, and Steve Hogan, first deputy counsel of the New York State Police.
The two were often interrupted during their presentation, with one heckler calling out "Cuomo for President," and others trying to stop the presentation with a group recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. At other times, loud guffaws and mock laughter filled the room, despite the presenters efforts to limit debate on the substance of the gun law.
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A gun advocacy group took the first legal step Tuesday toward halting the newly-signed gun laws in New York state.
With the aid of Buffalo area attorney James Tresmond, a notice of claim - the first step in suing any government- was filed Tuesday by the New York Rifle and Pistol Association. “We believe that (Gov. Andrew) Cuomo’s gun law is a blatant infringement on our Second Amendment rights,” said Jacob Reeper, vice president of legislative and political affairs for the group. “He has literally turned millions and millions of gun owners into criminals with the passage of that law,” Reeper said. Reeper said the tighter restrictions are not clear for owners who possess guns that are now illegal. He believes a lawsuit is likely. “Success would be all, or most, of Cuomo’s gun laws struck down,” he said. Earlier this month, Cuomo signed the toughest gun control law in the nation and the first since the Sandy Hook Elementary School Massacre in Newtown, Conn. Under prior state law, assault weapons are defined by having two “military rifle” features spelled out in the law. The new law reduces that to one feature and include the popular pistol grip. It also forces gun owners to renew their licenses every five years, stiffens penalties for using a gun in the commission of a crime and for bringing a gun on school property. |
"We're going to stand here answer questions. This is not a public debate. This is to answer individual questions," Green said before heading into the question-and-answer portion of the presentation.
WBEN EXTRA:
HEAR AN EXTENDED PORTION OF THE MEETING
Related Audio: Miguel Rivera, gun instructor
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| What is your biggest concern about the gun issue? |
| They'll be taken away! |
 ( 71% )
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| Ammo availability. |
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( 6% )
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| Assault weapon registration. |
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( 8% )
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| I'm not concerned. |
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( 15% )
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At the meeting, Green and Hogan spent about 20 minutes explaining the various components of the law.
For example, Green explained that owners of assault weapons have until April 2014 to get those weapons registered.
"The registration is intended to be a quick, simple, and free process. Starting on April 15, 2013, the registration will start and you'll have one year if you have a weapon that's now classified as an assault weapon to register that weapon. It'll be free of charge and will capable of being done online.
State officials also handed out fact sheets about the gun control -- including the provision that says only magazines that contain seven rounds or less will be sold in New York.
Some of the gun owners who attended the information session called for legislators to repeal the law, and some heckled state officials during the presentation
The meeting is part of an outreach effort to inform gun owners about the details of the new law.
Last week, the state launched a website and telephone hotline to help answer questions about the law.
The website includes a list of frequently-asked questions about the law, photos of weapons, and banned features, a list of banned weapons and firearms not considered assault weapons.
Here's the State's Information Site, for gun owners who have questions about the new law.
You can also access it here, or call the Toll Free Gun Q&A Hotline at 855- LAW- GUNS (529-4867)