Opponents Of NY Gun Law Gathering In Albany

By MICHAEL VIRTANEN

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) ⿿ National Rifle Association President David Keene told a rally of thousands of opponents of New York's new gun control law Thursday that his group will help them ensure that the Second Amendment rights passed down to them will be passed on to future generations.

"We've lost battles before. We will not lose the war," Keene said. He was cheered by the throng that filled the Albany park west of the Capitol, many arriving on buses from across the state and advocating repeal of one of the toughest gun-control laws in the U.S.

"New York has proven once again that it can top Washington in terms of the high-handedness of some of the people that hold its highest offices," Keene said. "I'm here to join you in protesting the fact that your governor is willing to sacrifice the constitution, your rights as citizens and the prerogatives of his legislature on the altar of his own ambition and on the ego of Michael Bloomberg of New York City."

The law enacted Jan. 15, pushed by Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo, sets a seven-bullet limit on magazines, tightens the definition of illegal "assault weapons" and requires owners of formerly legal semi-automatic guns to register them.

"We will not comply," the crowd chanted. Several protesters said it is unconstitutional, violating their right to bear arms. They also chanted, "Cuomo's got to go."

Cuomo, noting he is a gun owner, told reporters in Brooklyn on Thursday that gun control is "long overdue" and "politically controversial," that it has broad support among New Yorkers and the 30 percent who are opposed feel strongly about it. He called it "a reasonable approach" to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and the mentally ill. "And it bans high-capacity assault weapons, which can kill many, many people in a very short period of time. ... I'm proud of what we did. I believe it will literally save lives."

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