Governor George E. Pataki
Senator Charles Schumer
Senator Hillary Clinton
Assemblyperson David R. Townsend Jr.
Senator Raymond Meier
Honorable Sherwood Boehlert
 

  Please understand my extreme opposition to the proposed budget.  Specifically section 400.00 "The renewing of pistol permits."
 

  There are several key phrases that must be removed before the budget can be accepted.
 

  Any statement regarding a renewal of pistol permits.   The additional staff each licensing office will need in order to process these renewals would offset any additional revenue.  The confiscation of firearms would happen if an individual could not afford the renewal fee.  A perfect example of State sponsored class separation.
 

  Any statement regarding additional fees for amendments to the permit.  If a small pistol valued at $100 is bought or sold the $25 fee to amend the permit would amount to the State collecting 1/4 the value of that pistol.  That is an outrageous amount of taxations even for New York State.
 

  The statement 'Additionally, caps on local fees are removed and such fees will be determined by the appropriate county legislature or the 'New York City Council'.  In addition any county with an anti gun legislature can increase fees to the point where having a pistol permit is not possible.  In effect MORE gun control and it could lead to gun confiscation.   I'm also concerned that the 'New York City Council' could be able to implement additional fees on my pistol permit.  I thought that was the responsibility of my local legislatures.
 

  Any statement requiring additional NICS checks.
 

Any wordage that says:  '...THE  LICENSEE SHALL PROVIDE TO THE LICENSING OFFICER THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION ONLY: CURRENT NAME, DATE OF BIRTH, CURRENT ADDRESS, AND  THE MAKE, MODEL, CALIBER  AND  SERIAL  NUMBER  OF ALL FIREARMS CURRENTLY POSSESSED."
 
  This wordage can be interrupted to reference ALL firearms in my house, shotguns, long guns.  This is very close to stating I must now register ALL firearms.
 

  As you can see there are a lot of very good reasons this amendment should be removed entirely.
 

I always thought the main reason for having a pistol permit was to make sure criminals did not have handguns.  It looks to me like just another way New York State can make money from it's hard working citizens.  Does anyone  think a crack dealer is worried about a pistol permit??  They are more worried about law abiding citizens having firearms.
 

The NYSRPA (New York State Rifle & Pistol Association) has offered, as a solution, to eliminate the COBIS system.  Then apply the approximately $4.1 million saved per year toward the budget deficit.  I am in complete agreement with this suggestion and would strongly urge you to consider submitting it to the State Legislature.
 

I would like to hear where you stand on this issue.  You may reply to this email address, by mail to the address below or by phone.
 

  Sincerely,