(PDF News Release Below) The union representing New York State Police say they believe the state’s stricter gun laws could put law enforcement officers at risk.
In an email release on Monday, the New York State Troopers PBA said its 6,000-member group “holds widely shared concerns” about the NY Safe Act. Nonetheless, the union takes exception to some state lawmakers accusing the troopers of failing to enforce the law.
“The individual members of this union did not write the terms of the bill nor vote on its passage,” the release said. “We urge the citizens of New York state to remember that troopers are simply tasked with the lawful mandate to enforce the laws of the state, regardless of their personal opinion of such laws.”
The Safe Act bans certain semi-automatic guns now labeled as assault weapons. Monday was the first day gun owners had to register these assault weapons with the state; a ban on magazines larger than 10 rounds also went into effect Monday.
The troopers are not the first law enforcement group to criticize the Safe Act. The New York State Sheriffs’ Association has expressed concern about the likelihood that deputies can enforce certain provisions of the law, including background checks on private gun sales. The sheriffs group also believes many provisions of the law will only increase requirements among those who abide by the law and do little to ward against violent crimes or mass shootings.