A large number of New Yorkers would like legislators to repeal the gun control laws known collectively as the SAFE Act. An estimated 1m Empire State residents failed to register their “assault weapons” with the state, in accordance with the Act’s stipulations. They’ve got to be pretty dead set against the law. Now I’m not saying that Hamburg residents Scott Zawieruch and Gary Bridges are amongst their number, but they are anti-SAFE Act. And they’re not shy about sharing that sentiment . . .
The two men put up posters expressing their displeasure – on the outside of their fences! In the quiet town of 56,936 souls (excluding the not-so-quiet visitors to the Hamburg Fairgrounds and Casino), that’s strictly verboten! As wkbw.com reports.
In March, Scott Zawierucha appeared before a judge. On Friday, Gary Bridges appeared in court. Both were summoned for hanging signs to their fences.
“If you don’t like it, you don’t have to look at it,” says Bridges, who believes this violates the First Amendment.
Dozens of gun rights activists came to support Bridges. They believe those fighting the controversial SAFE Act are being targeted.
Nein!
However, Hamburg Town Supervisor Steven Walters says it is not going after SAFE Act protesters, and adds that the town also took an official stance requesting that New York repeal the controversial gun control law.
Walters adds that the code was created a long time ago, and it is under review.
I’m not optimistic. According to Wikipedia, “the Village of Hamburg became one of the first communities in the nation to have compulsory curbside recycling.” The “Town That Friendship Built” prides itself on looking clean and tidy. Even Zawieruch’s relatively demure sign goes against the grain.
“People do have the right free speech, so there has to be that balancing act,” Walters says.
It’s the same calculation New York lawmakers used to pass the SAFE Act, twenty minutes after it was introduced.