Ask Village of Potsdam to pass SAFE Act resolution

To the Editor:

During the Sept. 16 Potsdam Village Board meeting myself, along with numerous others in attendance, presented a resolution passed by the town of Potsdam “to thoughtfully debate the matter of restrictions on the use of firearms in our society, and to convene public hearings to gain information which would be used to amend, replace and repair flaws in the SAFE Act.”

This resolution would be sent to Governor Andrew Cuomo and state representatives. Cuomo deceptively issued a “Message of Necessity,” signing the New York Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act of 2013, commonly known as the NY SAFE Act, into law half an hour after it passed the legislature.

Normally with most New York State legislation there is a three-day perusal period whereby the public can comment and voice their concerns to their elected representatives, obviously this did not happen and public scrutiny was intentionally bypassed.

According to http://www.nysaferesolutions.com/, fifty-two out of sixty-two counties, as well as approximately 328 towns and villages have passed resolutions to allow “We the People’s” voices to be elevated and heard concerning this most important issue.

Please understand the function of our government was in no way intended to bypass a large segment of society, issuing forth “Messages of Necessity” to enact legislation. William Pitt the Younger, in a speech on Nov. 18, 1873, made this point “necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves.”

At this time I implore every citizen no matter what political stripe one subscribes too, please exercise your First Amendment right to renounce this deceptive type of legislation (tomorrow it could be the First Amendment) by contacting our local village of Potsdam officials and entreat them to pass this resolution, which was passed unanimously by the Town of Potsdam. St. Lawrence County has also passed a similar resolution.

If anyone has questions or would like to obtain a (repeal the SAFE Act) sign of protest for their yard in order to make others aware, please feel free to contact me at dlaub@twcny.rr.com.

SMSgt. Dean Laubscher, USAF, (Ret.)

Potsdam