COMMENTS TO THE ERIE COUNTY ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE

While the initial news reports of the hideous massacre of African Americans in Buffalo blared across the country, there was no mention of hunting in the background of the 18-year old assailant, Payton Gendron. A day later, some stories said his father had given him a “firearm” legally, other reports left that out. The firearm was an AR-15 that was modified for a magazine (cartridge) that carried only 10 rounds (bullets). Apparently, what had been a legal firearm in NYS was then re-modified to be able to accommodate a 30-round maga- zine. What still may not be understood by the public is that the AR-15 semi-automatic firearm is a LEGAL firearm in New York so long as it is modified to only hold a 10-round magazine.

Twelve-year-olds were legally able to use an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle for killing small game, but until 2021, they couldn’t hunt “big game” (deer) when, ac- cording to a NYS Bureau of Wildlife employee, an AR- 15 or AK-47 is “more likely” to be used, since killing small game with a semi-automatic weapon would be a “waste of bullets.”

However, consider that a magazine can quickly be replaced with a fresh magazine, so the shooting can continue within a few seconds. That is the ridiculous modification that got so much applause when passed under Cuomo’s administration.

When Kathy Hochul, New York’s governor, was interviewed following the Buffalo massacre of primarily Black victims, she touted the safety of NY’s gun laws, and said because NY had restrictions on the magazine size, she, the FBI, and local police were “looking into” how this mass murder could have happened.

It was discovered that Payton Gendron re-modified the NY modified AR-15 to accommodate a 30-round magazine that

had been bought in Pennsylvania! So, PA’s lax gun laws were blamed, in part, for the massacre!

Yet, EVEN IF the firearm had not been re-modified to allow for a larger magazine, ten people could have been killed with the NY legal firearm! And ten people were killed!

In addition to the ridiculous assertion that the re-modified AR-15 was the cause of the problem, there is the loophole that Payton Gendron’s mental issues never factored into the permitting process because his father allegedly bought him the rifle for hunting.

What the public STILL doesn’t know is that AR-15 and AK-47 semi-automatic rifles are legal for hunting in NY so long as they are modified to only take a 10-round magazine! The number of magazines or firearms that can be used, however, are not limited!

Erie County should be proud of their Executive, Mark Poloncarz, as Erie was one of only two counties among the eligible NY counties to not opt-in to a lower hunting age. Instead, Erie’s Executive has been vilified by hunters, legislators up for re-election, and the BUREAU OF WILDLIFE (BOW) within the DEC.

If we follow the money, let’s ask which entities profit from the proliferation of firearms and ammo? The Bureau of Wildlife, within the DEC, EXCLUSIVELY receives a share of the firearms excise tax based in part on the number of hunting permits it sells. This puts BOW in the pockets of the firearms industry! Then, counties receive sales tax on the weapons. Is it any wonder why gun laws are so hard to get?

NYS and counties need to sever their ties to the firearms industry, stop managing game animals to be the victims of hunters for the sake of the firearms industry, and truly make the country safe.

BOW is a dangerous division of the DEC with outsize power and influence – accountable to no one. New York needs to stop their goal of putting lethal weapons into as many hands as possible. Especially if it involves stooping so low as to arm children. In the light of the recent massacre, this is especially heinous.

While this expose is little consolation to the families who lost loved ones, and it will never bring back lost lives, it provides some clarity for why protective gun laws are so hard to get.

THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT THE GUN INDUSTRY IS WITHIN OUR GOVERNMENT AND IT MUST BE BOOTED OUT.