NY Sheriffs, Rep.: New Laws Unconstitutionally Criminalize Guns at Gas Stations, Parks; Require Interview with Judge

New York’s sheriffs and Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) are condemning new state gun laws, signed by Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul, that they say are unconstitutional.

Peter Kehoe, Executive Director of the New York State Sheriffs’ Association, which represents all 58 sheriffs in the state, told local CBS 6’s Anne McCloy that Democrats’ new laws are unconstitutional because they presume the denial of Second Amendment rights and make compliance virtually impossible:

“Kehoe, an attorney, says he believes the laws infringe on New Yorkers second amendment rights in more than one way. First, by requiring businesses to post signs if guns are allowed. He says there should be an assumption under the constitution guns are allowed unless explicitly prohibited.

“He also says the laws prevent New Yorkers from obtaining a pistol permit by creating training requirements that are unattainable in a timely manner.

“It requires that everyone who applies for a conceal carry has an in-person interview with a judge. Millions of people are going to be applying for these licenses and where are judges going to find time to interview these people? It’s not going to happen and that’s why we believe it was put in there,” Kehoe said.”

“I stand with the @NYSheriffs against Kathy Hochul and Far-Left Albany Democrats’ attempts to shred the Constitution with their unconstitutional gun ban. I will always defend our Second Amendment rights,” Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) tweeted Thursday.

Rep. Stefanik says the new “sensitive locations” ban immediately makes thousands of law-abiding gun owners in New York felons, CBS 6 reports:

“But New York Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik says New York’s new laws are unconstitutional, in a statement she says in part, ‘..Their most recent gun ban bill immediately classifies tens of thousands of law-abiding gun owners in the Adirondack park as felons…’

“The new law classifies ‘sensitive locations’ including parks as restricted areas and outlaws concealed weapons at private businesses unless the business posts a sign saying guns are allowed.”

“One of the things most concerning things is you can’t pull into a gas station or commercial facility that doesn’t have a pro-2nd amendment sign,” making traveling with a gun in New York nearly impossible, gun sales and training business owner Richard MacLeod told CBS 6.