To the Editor:

According to a North Country Now article by Andy Gardner on Sept. 24 Rob Astorino “will work for full repeal of the Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement (SAFE) Act if he is elected.”

And “he believes that in the absence of the law, which was penned in reaction to the Sandy Hook school shooting in Newtown, Conn., there are strict measures already in place to keep firearms out of the hands of the mentally ill and violent criminals,” the story said.

I wonder if perhaps Astorino doesn't know what the law was prior to the SAFE Act. Sales of firearms that would require a “background check” if purchased from a licensed dealer were completely unregulated in private sales. So suppose you know you can't pass a “background check”, just keep an eye on local classified ads. Or go “on-line” and search for what you want. Make a phone call or send and e-mail then show up with cash. The seller had no “accountability” for who they were selling to.

Prior to the Safe Act here are some of the firearms I saw listed in local classified ads. Ruger mini 14 with two 40 round magazines, two 20 round mags and one 10 round mag., AK 47 with two 30 round mags. and 800 rounds of ammo.

Smith and Wesson M&P AR15. Rock River Arms AR15. SAR 48 FN-FAL 308 caliber w/bipod and scope. By the way, I bought that AK 47 with two 30 round magazines and 800 rounds of ammunition. From a complete stranger, no identification no background check just cash money in someone's driveway. And if I wanted more ammunition just go on-line with a credit card and buy it in 1000 round boxes shipped to my door.

If Rob Astorino really believes this was adequate to “keep firearms out of the hands of the mentally ill and violent criminals” perhaps he needs a mental health evaluation.

There is much in the SAFE Act that I think should be amended or removed but complete repeal and no

“Background checks?” Bad idea. So I'll hold my nose and vote for Cuomo and hope the law will be amended.

Miles Manchester

Potsdam