Advocates intend to sue over gun law

WIVB TV

Updated: Jan 30, 2013 2:25 PM

CLARENCE, N.Y. (WIVB) — The New York Safe Act has a lot of people fired up and it was very evident at a meeting held in Clarence Tuesday. Hundreds turned out and many were there challenge state officials on the law.

The meeting was supposed to be a chance for those who may have questions about the new restrictions to get answers, but many who turned out were angry, putting officials on the defensive.

"If you give me a minute I'll answer the question," said Mike Green with the Division of Criminal Justice Services.

One concern members of the New York State Police and Division of Criminal Justice Services were asked over and over again by those in attendance - would their weapon now be considered an assault weapon?

"You guys are calling semi-automatics assault weapons. Now obviously the guys who made the law never served in the military. Assault weapons are fully automatic weapons," said one man in attendance.

Others questioned what would happen if they didn't follow the new law.

"What is the penalty if you do not register? Because I guarantee there is a lot of people who aren't going to," said another man.

Green responded, "Your next question is: Are you going to be arrested? I can't answer that. It would be up to the officer you encounter. They would have to decide."

The New York State Rifle and Pistol Association filed a claim with the state on Tuesday, expressing its intentions to sue.

MORE | Read the Notice of Claim filed here

"The calls and e-mails, it's almost non-stop, and it has been since Cuomo signed the bill," said New York State Rifle and Pistol Association Vice President of Legislative and Political Affairs, Jacob Rieper. "Obviously we believe that Cuomo's gun law is blatantly unconstitutional. It is very poorly written and some of our lawyers have had trouble even digesting it."

The group now has 90 days in which to follow a lawsuit.

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