On September 15, 2023, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed a invoice (S4879) permitting Westchester County to vary its handgun and semi-automatic rifle licensing charges. Now, the Westchester Board of Legislators is on the verge of drastically rising its charges for residents of the New York Metropolis Suburb.
Westchester County is within the Hudson Valley north of New York Metropolis. Typically known as the “sixth borough,” the county was as soon as a Republican stronghold within the Empire State. Now, it’s quickly transferring to the left. Since 2019, the variety of Democrats within the county has elevated by 15,000, whereas throughout the identical interval, Westchester County misplaced 7,000 registered Republican voters. The change was spurred by longtime county residents heading south to states like Florida and new younger left-leaning professionals transferring in to take their place.
At the moment, the charge for an software or renewal for a pistol or semi-automatic rifle license is $10. Westchester County is seeking to elevate the price of the license to a mind-boggling $175, which could possibly be greater than the worth of the firearm. The proposed charge to amend a restriction on a license will enhance from $3 to $125. Another amendments will go up from $3 to $25. These will increase have gun homeowners within the county up in arms.
Westchester says the rise pays the salaries of varied county workers. Critics of the proposed modifications say the county’s present finances already covers the wages for these staff. They level out that no different county charges are rising, simply pistol and semi-automatic rifle license charges. They alleged that the brand new charges are nothing greater than a “ballot tax” on the constitutionally protected proper to maintain and bear arms.
Solely two legislators, Margaret Cunzio (C) and James Nolan (R), have vowed to vote “no” on the proposal. The opposite 15 haven’t acknowledged how they may vote, however the remaining legislators are all Democrats. It’ll take a large turnout by the gun homeowners of Westchester County opposing the licensing charge will increase to have any hope of swaying the remaining Democrat legislators.
Firearms licensing schemes have been attacked in courts throughout the nation. A number of gun rights teams have filed lawsuits in federal courtroom. Some courts have dominated these licensing schemes unconstitutional, however others have cited “Footnote 9” to rule that these challenged licensing schemes are constitutional. “Footnote 9” of the Bruen resolution acknowledged that not all hid carry allowing schemes are unconstitutional. Some courts have expanded that footnote to licensing schemes for pistol buy permits.
Westchester County doesn’t appear too involved a couple of doable authorized problem. The regulation was explicitly modified to permit Westchester County to extend its licensing charges. These new charges will damage the poor and center class essentially the most since cash is tight within the present financial circumstances. Some residents should select between the power to defend themselves and their family members and placing meals on the desk.
There shall be a public listening to on the brand new licensing charge enhance on September 30 at 9:30 P.M. The assembly itself will kick off at 7:00 P.M. Anybody who needs to talk on the assembly should present up earlier than the beginning time of the overall assembly to enroll. Will probably be held on the Board of Legislators, eighth Ground, Michalian Workplace Constructing,148 Martine Avenue, White Plains, NY. A Westchester County resident also can e-mail their legislator and ask them to vote “no” on the proposal.
All legislators might be discovered right here.
About John Crump
Mr. Crump is an NRA teacher and a constitutional activist. John has written about firearms, interviewed individuals from all walks of life, and on the Structure. John lives in Northern Virginia along with his spouse and sons, observe him on X at @crumpyss, or at www.crumpy.com.
