By Dave Lucas
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-947937.mp3
Albany, NY – A gathering billed as the alternative to "Gun Control Day" was held this afternoon at the State Capitol: Capital District Bureau Chief Dave Lucas was there and files this report.
2nd amendment advocate Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb and the Assembly GOP conference hosted their second annual "Sportsmen and Outdoor Recreation Legislative Awareness Day" at the Legislative Office Building in Downtown Albany. The event attracted about a thousand sportsmen and gun enthusiasts, many from grassroots organizations scattered across the state. The keynote speech was delivered by the NRA's director of political affairs Chuck Cunningham, who sees recent moves to impose new gun laws a knee-jerk reaction to the Arizona shooting.
Bill Schwerd is the executive director of Cornell Cooperative Extension in Saratoga County and the New York State 4H Sports co-ordinator - he champions education as a means of combating anti-gun sentiment. The gun control lobby has been pushing for microstamping legislation - the process entails a gun's firing pin stamping cartridges with unique identifying numbers. James Rabbia, the plant manager at the Remington Arms factory in Ilion, cheered last year's defeat of a microstamping bill, arguing the technology hasn't been proven.
The New York State Rifle and Pistol Association sponsored "Sportsmen Day " - Association President Tom King expects gun owners will remain vocal in the effort to protect their constitutional right to bear arms. Assemblyman Kolb noted that outdoor recreation generates billions in contributing to the state's economy... several outdoor recreation companies participated in the event.