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2nd Amendment Rights
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| In November 2001, New York City voters approved a ballot
proposal to amend the City Charter to “create ‘gun-free’ school safety zones
within 1,000 feet of every school” and to “ban the sale of any type of gun
to persons under the age of 21”. These targeted infringements on New
Yorkers' gun rights set an extraordinarily dangerous precedent. If gun
ownership can be banned for certain classes of individuals, extending this
ban to all citizens of our state is only a matter of time.
The ballot proposal was cleverly crafted to pretend to protect children from violence. Libertarians categorically reject the proposition that restricting our rights is ever an answer to crime. The idea of "gun-free" school zones seems natural to voters already comfortable with "drug-free" school zones. Similarly, after a generation has grown up under the yoke of the 21 drinking age, the loss of gun rights for so-called "minors" sparks no outrage, even among youth themselves. Libertarians see the bigger picture and understand that fighting for the rights of a single group on a single issue is doomed to failure — the rights of every citizen must be defended. The Manhattan Libertarian Party also demands the repeal of New York State’s Sullivan Law, which gives discretionary authority to state agencies in issuing gun permits. Law-abiding citizens must prove to government bureaucrats that they have a “legitimate” or “compelling” reason to own a firearm. This requirement has nothing to do with passing a background check. Discretion is a synonym for discrimination. Since no reason need be given if a permit application is denied, the potential for abuse is enormous. |