Two Assembly members who represent parts of St. Lawrence County continue to call for repeal of New York’s gun control law, The NY SAFE Act.

A recent court ruling struck down part of the SAFE Act, but Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) wants a full repeal, citing what he believes will be the difficulty enforcing the law and what he calls “its encroachment on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.”

Assemblyman Marc W. Butler (R,C,I-Newport) has repeated his call for the repeal of the gun control law, while Second Amendment enthusiasts, law enforcement and business owners have told Butler they are calling for an end to the law.

Of the 1,291 SAFE Act arrests, Blankenbush says 84 percent occurred in New York City. He says this statistic proves that illegal gun use is a problem in New York’s large cities, but not in upstate communities like those found in the North Country and the Mohawk Valley.

“The so-called SAFE Act has unduly punished law-abiding gun owners for political gain, and it’s time to repeal it in full,” said Blankenbush. “The governor’s gun control law is not only unconstitutional; it is an ineffective and insincere attempt to curb gun violence. I stand with law-abiding gun owners in my district and across the state to push for a full repeal and protection of their Second Amendment rights.”

“I share my constituents’ frustration over Gov. Cuomo’s blatant attack on their Second Amendment rights, the careless disregard for gun-based job creators like Remington Arms and mom-and-pop gun shops, and the disrespect shown to our law enforcement professionals,” said Butler. “The governor was reactive, and forced a bad law upon the legislature for obvious political reasons. Our citizens deserve better, and I am asking my legislative colleagues to repeal the law now.”

“The governor’s gun control law is a failure all around. It’s time to repeal the law and protect our citizens’ constitutional rights, ensure law enforcement can focus on community safety, and small business owners can freely and lawfully engage in commerce,” said Blankenbush.

“It was a failure then, it’s a failure now – we must respect our citizens and repeal Cuomo’s gun control law,” said Butler.

Blankenbush’s 117th Assembly District includes DeKalb, Gouverneur, Hermon, Russell, Edwards, Fowler and Pitcairn in St. Lawrence County, and Lewis County, southeast Jefferson County, and parts of Oneida County.

Butler’s 118th District includes Madrid, Norfolk, Stockholm, Parishville, Pierrepont, Clare, Colton, Clifton, and Fine, and, outside of St. Lawrence County, Hamilton, Herkimer and Fulton counties plus part of Oneida County.