Calling all NEW YORKERS: your help is needed

[nyrifleman]

I was asked to pass this along:

Repealing the NYS ban on "high capacity" magazines

Gun owners in Massachussetts have gotten the ball rolling repealing their state ban on "high capacity" magazines. It's time we New Yorkers did the same. This will take only a few minutes of your time. Also, please, please, please re-post this to as many forums as you can.

First, go here to find your State Senator:
http://www.nysenate.gov/nyss_senator_search/
And here to find your State Assemblyman:
http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?sh=search

Second, write them the following letter. It is RECOMMENDED to print the letter, sign it and mail it by snail mail. This makes it much more likely to be read and paid attention to. If you don't have the time to do so, you can send it to your state legislators by e-mail.

There are TWO versions of the letter. One is aimed at pro-gun legislators, while the other is aimed at anti-gun legislators (the majority, unfortunately).

Letter to Pro-Gun legislators:

Dear <Legislator’s name here>,

I know that you are a supporter of the 2nd amendment right to keep and bear arms. I am a gun owner and voter in your district, and I applaud your pro-gun voting record.

I was wondering if any effort is being made or planned to lift New York State's prohibition of "high-capacity" magazines -- magazines that hold more than 10 rounds. This restriction does not in any way reduce violent crime -- FBI statistics show that violent crime nationwide has been on the decrease, despite the expiration of the national ban on "high capacity" magazines in 2004.

However, it places legitimate gun owners in legal jeopardy. The NYS ban relied on the fact that the Federal ban required all magazines manufactured after 1994 to be marked with the date of manufacture. Since the ban expired, most firearms manufacturers have stopped marking the date of manufacture, so it is possible for NY gun owner to buy a high-capacity magazine believing that it was manufactured pre-1994, even though it was actually manufactured after 2004. Law enforcement, however, can often tell the date of manufacture from the way the magazine is designed.

In addition to that serious matter, the 10-round magazine ban is an inconvenience for legitimate gun owners. Quite often, 10-round capacity magazines are more expensive than standard magazines. Many shooting sports require the use of magazines that hold more than 10 rounds, such as 3-gun, IDPA, IPSC and similar sports. Furthermore, a large number of firearms were originally designed with magazines of more than 10 rounds. This includes the majority of handguns designed in the past 30 years, and rifles produced in the past 60 years. Therefore, “high-capacity” magazines are not really high-capacity at all, but standard capacity.

I understand the legal atmosphere in NYS, and that getting this ban lifted would be a difficult matter, but you don’t get anywhere without trying. It appalls me that even pro-gun senators and assemblymen in New York take no active measures on such an important issue to many gun owners.

Notice that I am not calling for the repeal of the NYS Assault Weapons ban, but merely for the repeal of the ban on “high capacity” magazines.

I thank you for taking the time to reads this.

Yours Sincerely,
<Your name>

Letter to Anti-Gun Legislator:

Dear <Legislator’s name here>,

I am a gun owner and voter in your district. I know that you are a supporter of strict gun control, but I wanted to call your attention to a problem in NYS gun law that puts legitimate gun owners in legal jeopardy. As you know, New York State has a prohibition on "high-capacity" magazines -- magazines that hold more than 10 rounds.

However, there is a problem with the enforcement of the law. The NYS ban relied on the fact that the Federal ban required all magazines manufactured after 1994 to be marked with the date of manufacture. Since the ban expired, most firearms manufacturers have stopped marking the date of manufacture, so it is possible for NY gun owner to buy a high-capacity magazine believing that it was manufactured pre-1994, even though it was actually manufactured after 2004. Law enforcement forensics experts, however, can often tell the date of manufacture from information unavailable to regular gun owners, such as knowledge of materials used and magazine design.

In addition to that serious matter, the 10-round magazine ban is an inconvenience for legitimate gun owners. Quite often, 10-round capacity magazines are more expensive than standard magazines. Many shooting sports require the use of magazines that hold more than 10 rounds, such as 3-gun, IDPA, IPSC and similar sports. Furthermore, a large number of firearms were originally designed with magazines of more than 10 rounds. This includes the majority of handguns designed in the past 30 years, and rifles produced in the past 60 years. Therefore, “high-capacity” magazines are not really high-capacity at all, but standard capacity.

Finally, this restriction has no effect on violent crime. FBI crime statistics show that violent crime nationwide has been on the decrease since 2004, despite the expiration of the national ban on "high capacity" magazines.

I am not in any way, shape or form calling for the repeal of the NYS Assault Weapons ban, but merely for the repeal of the ban on “high capacity” magazines.

I thank you for taking the time to reads this.

Yours Sincerely,
<Your name>

 

[Hamish]

<This is also a serious impediment for collectors interested in historical firearms that had magazines with a capacity higher than 10 rounds>

I think this argument is pretty weak: if it is a historical firearm, I expect it would have been manufactured prior to 1994, and most likely there are magazines for it that were also manufactured prior to 1994, therefore making them exempt from the high capacity limit. A collector wouldn't be interested in new magazines for their historically accurate firearm. Someday, this may be an issue when firearms manufactured after 1994 are considered 'historical', but I doubt this argument (as it is written) will hold much sway now.

 

[ScrapMetalSlug]

I like the idea, and it is good to contact your representatives, but I also think the letter for the anti- legislator needs some work. It almost sounds like the letter is saying it would be simpler if all mags over 10 rounds were banned so you didn't have to worry about the date of manufacture:banghead:

The most relevant information is that the federal AWB didn't reduce crime, and violent crime continues to decrease even with the lifting of the federal ban. Stating that very few violent crimes involve long arms would be better (mostly handguns are used for gun crimes), and and even a smaller number of violent crimes involve high capacity mags in rifles.

 

[fishingman78]

I agree with some of the other post that the letters need some work, especially the letter to the anti-gun legislator. Most anti-gun legislators do not care about the convenience. So, I would take out that entire paragraph for starters.

I don't believe that this restriction in any way reduces violent crime

They also will not care about your beliefs. I would research some data and show some hard numbers on the ineffectiveness of the such a ban. The paragraph with the above quote needs to be expanded.

I like your efforts. However, I would rewrite the letters before submitting.

 

[nyrifleman]

Thank you for the input, guys. I didn't write the letters, I was forwarded the above in an e-mail, and put it up here. But I think you've brought up good points, and I'll look at changing that.

drsfmd: Yes. I'm dreaming if I think this will happen tomorrow, or in the next year, or even in the next five years. But if NY gun owners don't start getting up, making a stand, doing SOMETHING, things will only get worse. I've pro-gun friends in other countries who go to pro-gun demonstrations where 3 people show up -- and they're outnumbered 10-to-1 by the media.

I know what will happen if I don't post the letter: nothing. But if I do post the letter, and one of the pro-gun representatives gets together the guts, and introduces a bill, and it gets some media attention, and some media debate... It'll be a move in the right direction.

And if it never goes anywhere, all I'm out is $0.50 for the paper, envelope and stamp.

 

[drsfmd]

I'm disappointed that some overzealous moderator chose to delete my genuine and forthright comment.

 

[cor_man257]

Living in New York, I know how ridiculous the "High Capacity" ban is. And I would LOVE to see it done away with.

But I dont think these letters sound like they will work. Especially not when only 10 send them. I might write up my own letter and send it... and we'll see what we can do.

 

[leftyz]

Not sure why my reply to this thread was deleted, maybe a moderator misunderstood me, but to the OP, you have a typo.

In addition to that serious matter, the 10-round magazin ban

If you are asking people to copy and print out these letters, please proofread them.

 

[AirForceShooter]

NYC and by attachment NYS are under attack for failure to recognize out of state permits. The time has never been more ripe for attacks on ther nys and nyc permiting and carry process.

You're worried about magazines?

This kind of thinking got me out of NY.

AFS

 

[Konstantin835]

I sent my letters, I also wrote another letter that applies to both pro and anti gun legislators. Here is it if anyone wants to use it.

I would like to bring to your attention an issue that is important to many firearms enthusiasts such as myself, the issue of New York’s prohibition of magazines holding more than 10 rounds.
Since 1994 New York has had in place a mirror of the now defunct Federal “Assault Weapons” ban. While the Federal ban has expired, the ban in New York has no expiration date. Magazines holding over 10 rounds are banned under this law which is a major impediment to the millions of responsible shooting enthusiasts such as myself all over the state and in your district.
This ban was created with the intent to lower crime, but according to FBI crime statistics, this restriction has no correlation with violent crime. Violent crime nationwide has been decreasing since the expiration of the Federal ban on "high capacity" magazines in 2004. This restriction is also easy for criminals to overcome by simply traveling to a different state.
The term “high capacity” is also a misnomer, as many modern designs, including some of the most popular rifles in the country are intended to be used with magazines holding 20 or 30 rounds.
The ban of “high capacity” magazines is a major impediment to the many competitive shooters who shoot matches that involve speed, such as extremely popular “3 Gun” matches. It also impedes the casual enthusiast as 10 round magazines are often more expensive than their standard counterparts.
Thank you for your time and consideration of this issue.

Please, even if you don't think it will work, send emails to your legislators. Every little bit helps, we can hope it will eventually have in impact and popular opinion as well as legal action is swaying toward our side.

 

[nyrifleman]

Not sure why my reply to this thread was deleted, maybe a moderator misunderstood me, but to the OP, you have a typo.

Thanks for pointing that out, I've corrected it.

 

[nyrifleman]

And I've made some changes to the letters. Thank you everyone for the input you've given me, and let me know if there are any other problems that you see.