BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

CANTON -- A majority of St. Lawrence County legislators say they are not in favor of legislation that would require gun dealers and gunsmiths to post signage that warns potential buyers of the dangers of firearms.

In legislation passed along party lines before the end of the legislative session, state lawmakers passed a bill that would require dealers to post signs in their shops to warn potential customers about the potential risks associated with firearms.

The sign, which must be "conspicuously located" within the shop must state the following:

"Access to a weapon or firearm in the home significantly increases the risk of suicide, death during domestic disputes, and/or unintentional deaths to children, household members and others. If you or a loved one is experiencing distress and/or depression, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.”

But the new legislation, which is still awaiting Governor Kathy Hochul's signature, did not sit well with Legislator Larry Denesha.

During the July 29 finance committee meeting, Denesha called the legislation "arbitrary and capricious."

Denesha told his fellow legislators that he spoke with a number of constituents, many of whom said the new law and required signage would do nothing to curb violence and suicide.

"This legislation is not designed to enhance safety at all, it's just another affront to our Second Amendment way of life," Denesha said.

He said he would not support the legislation that he felt was just another attack on the Second Amendment.

While Denesha was firmly opposed, Legislator Margaret Haggard said she did a great deal of research on the matter, citing a study from the Harvard School of Public Health.

Haggard said the study showed a direct correlation between firearm ownership and an increased rate of suicide.

"I found several studies on this (correlation between firearm ownership and suicide), for what it's worth," she said.

Haggard said that the studies may not persuade other legislators either way on the legislation but said she wanted to note that firearm prevalence in the home leads to higher rates of suicide.

"The inverse is also true, less guns means a lower suicide rates," she said.

But Legislator Rick Perkins, who requested to be added as a cosponsor to the resolution, pointed to the Surgeon General taking a stand against cigarettes years ago, saying the warnings issued about cigarette use leading to cancer and other ailments did not deter tobacco use.

Legislator Nicole Terminelli said the same could be said in a number of cases, including airbags in vehicles.

"This is an educational component more than anything," she said.

Terminelli commented that the warning signs would be just like those in other facets of life.

"Warnings like this are prevalent and are to protect the liability of the person selling the...McDonalds cup with hot coffee," she commented.

She said it "is everyone's responsibility to educate each other."

Legislator William Sheridan said when he saw the county resolution he immediately opted to support it, saying the state was just attempting to "chip away at our Second Amendment."

"I've never met a tax I liked and never seen a mandate I liked. Shall not be infringed, that's what you have to remember about it. It's pretty simple."

Legislator Joseph Lightfoot questioned how the regulations would be enforced and at what cost to taxpayers.

Lightfoot said enforcement would mean "sending people out, to go to gun shops and gunsmiths" to ensure the signs are posted.

"Gun dealers already have a lot of signage, I doubt another sign will do very much," he said.

Lightfoot said the state needs to inform the counties how the mandate will be enforced, saying "for lack of a better term, a whoopee law like this, this is just ignorance."

"It just seems like an awful waste of money," he said.

The resolution was supported largely along party lines, with Terminelli and Haggard voting against the resolution. Legislators David Forsythe and Rita Curran were absent from the meeting.