Letter: Albany's gun bill was too hasty
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, seated at center, signs the SAFE Act during a signing ceremony at City Hall in Rochester. (Jan. 16, 2013) Credit: AP
The lawsuit that calls for an injunction to the Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act is the correct course of action for the gun-control legislation debate in New York State ["Gun-law change eyed," News, March 5].
The NY SAFE Act was rushed into law because Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo decided gun control was an emergency requiring immediate reaction and issued a "message of necessity." That waives the three-day period for a bill to "age," and did not allow for reasonable discussion.
This situation did not need immediate attention. It needed level-headed reaction after the Sandy Hook tragedy. Assemb. Steve Katz (R-Yorktown) said Senate Republicans were "bullied" to sign legislation without responsible due diligence. Others said the legislation emerged from a closed-door meeting. This process clearly did not allow for prudent reason, compromise or public hearings on potential proposals.
Restrictions on constitutional rights should not be rushed. The lawsuit that calls for an injunction of this law affords the state legislators the opportunity to amend and revise this act. The amended and revised act should provide the state with a reasonable balance between gun restrictions and rights.
Joseph Bello, Douglaston
