The Other Side Of Gun Control; Eyewitness News Visits Oneonta Gun Shop
By: Rachel Polansky
Updated: January 16, 2013
As we told you earlier, the New York Safe Act gives New York the
toughest gun laws in the nation. And it passed both legislative houses,
the state assembly voted in favor of the bill 104 to 43. And the senate
43 to 18.
But here in Central New York, where some say guns are a way of life, we've been hearing different reactions...
"Angry, disgusted, disappointed." That's how some employees and customers were feeling at Losie's Gun Shop in Oneonta. They call the Safe Act a knee-jerk piece of legislation and they say it won't make the state any safer.
"Most of the people around here grow up shooting guns, I was shooting guns at 5 years old."
"My grandfather started teaching me when i was about 7 years old. It teaches kids responsibility and ya know, its a good way to grow up around guns and know how to use them correctly," says Dennis Allen, Oneonta resident and gun owner.
Dozens of customers fill area gun shops buying guns and ammunition - as the law has gun buyers fearful for the future.
"They just about closed every gun shop up in the state of New York," says Jim Losie, owner of Losie's Gun Shop.
Losie says these laws are unjust.
"I took 33 years to build this business. You're never gonna stop people from doing what they're gonna do," says Losie.
Losie says this legislation is hurting law-abiding citizens but more than that, he says it's infringing on our basic second amendment rights.
"This is our God given right, the 4 fathers said that," says Losie.
"The second amendment is the second amendment, shall not be infringed, second amendment is to protect people against the government," says Allen.
But advocates say in light of recent events, this law was necessary. Still, Losie says the government acting so quickly has left gun shop owners in the dark.
"Right now, we don't have a clue. In this bill it says if we sell ammunition, we have to do a background check. There not even set up by the state to do this with. So who do we call? If we sell a box of ammo and don't call. is this illegal?" says Losie.
"It's not fair to the people and it shouldn't be allowed and politics play a big role and its a shame," says Allen.
And despite the new laws, this Saturday January 19th, some Americans will be celebrating Gun Appreciation Day.
We know this legislation is a controversial and sensitive subject. That's why we want to hear from YOU.
Are we safer or do these laws infringe on the second amendment? Send me a message at rpolansky@wutr.tv or call our new opinion hotline - 315-625-1892.
But here in Central New York, where some say guns are a way of life, we've been hearing different reactions...
"Angry, disgusted, disappointed." That's how some employees and customers were feeling at Losie's Gun Shop in Oneonta. They call the Safe Act a knee-jerk piece of legislation and they say it won't make the state any safer.
"Most of the people around here grow up shooting guns, I was shooting guns at 5 years old."
"My grandfather started teaching me when i was about 7 years old. It teaches kids responsibility and ya know, its a good way to grow up around guns and know how to use them correctly," says Dennis Allen, Oneonta resident and gun owner.
Dozens of customers fill area gun shops buying guns and ammunition - as the law has gun buyers fearful for the future.
"They just about closed every gun shop up in the state of New York," says Jim Losie, owner of Losie's Gun Shop.
Losie says these laws are unjust.
"I took 33 years to build this business. You're never gonna stop people from doing what they're gonna do," says Losie.
Losie says this legislation is hurting law-abiding citizens but more than that, he says it's infringing on our basic second amendment rights.
"This is our God given right, the 4 fathers said that," says Losie.
"The second amendment is the second amendment, shall not be infringed, second amendment is to protect people against the government," says Allen.
But advocates say in light of recent events, this law was necessary. Still, Losie says the government acting so quickly has left gun shop owners in the dark.
"Right now, we don't have a clue. In this bill it says if we sell ammunition, we have to do a background check. There not even set up by the state to do this with. So who do we call? If we sell a box of ammo and don't call. is this illegal?" says Losie.
"It's not fair to the people and it shouldn't be allowed and politics play a big role and its a shame," says Allen.
And despite the new laws, this Saturday January 19th, some Americans will be celebrating Gun Appreciation Day.
We know this legislation is a controversial and sensitive subject. That's why we want to hear from YOU.
Are we safer or do these laws infringe on the second amendment? Send me a message at rpolansky@wutr.tv or call our new opinion hotline - 315-625-1892.
