Success for the Assembly Minority Conference with Gun Vote Passage

Kolb, Colleagues Succeed in Making New York Streets Safer for Law Enforcement and Residents

December 22, 2005

“I’m relieved that we were able to reach an agreement in honor of the memory of all of the fallen law enforcement in New York,” said Assemblyman Brian Kolb (R,C-Canandaigua). “This is one of those votes that will leave me with a feeling of satisfaction.”

The mood was positive as Assembly members left their chamber today because, after weeks of applying intense pressure on the Assembly majority, Assembly minority conference members finally saw the culmination of their hard work: passage of legislation that severely penalizes illegal gun traffickers and criminals who assault public-safety personnel.

After the governor, state Senate and the Assembly minority agreed on ways to change existing laws dealing with the trafficking in and use of illegal firearms, the Assembly majority “finally jumped on the wagon,” said Kolb. The legislation was pushed to the forefront after the shooting deaths of two New York City police officers in the past month, allegedly by criminals using illegal guns.

“My colleagues and I have been pushing and pressuring the Assembly majority. I am happy that they finally recognize the importance of passing this legislation,” continued Kolb. “We are simply following our common sense and trying to do what is best for New York. This is the way government should work – following the will of the people.

“There are a number of issues we need to address in the coming year. We all know just how hard we worked on this issue. It just goes to show that through some good, old-fashioned, grass-roots campaigning and hard work, we can get the job done. I have a lot of faith in our ability to make decent changes next year, and I thank everyone who has worked so hard in making sure the deaths of those fine, young police officers didn’t happen in vain.”

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