Cuomo tells gun-loving sheriffs to STFU or GTFO [View all]

[mwrguy]

Get 'em, Andrew!

The sheriffs thought they were being summoned to the Capitol to discuss ideas for changes to New York's gun control law, the SAFE Act. Instead, Gov. Andrew Cuomo told them to keep quiet.

Many county sheriffs oppose it, particularly its expanded definition of banned assault weapons, and have spoken out around the state.

Cuomo invited its leaders to the Capitol last month, people briefed on the meeting said. The group included Sheriffs' Association Executive Director Peter Kehoe and Chemung County Sheriff Christopher Moss.

...

Instead, Cuomo pushed the sheriffs to stop publicly speaking out against the act, Moss said.

"The governor was of the opinion that the sheriffs around the state should not be interjecting their personal opinions in reference to the law," Moss said, adding that Cuomo said sheriffs can't do that and enforce the law.

One person briefed on the meeting said Cuomo threatened to remove sheriffs from office, a little-used power afforded the state's chief executive under the state constitution.

Moss would not confirm this. He did say the meeting was heated at times, but overall he described it as "cordial."

Kehoe did not return calls, and Cuomo spokesman Rich Azzopardi declined to comment. An administration official, speaking anonymously because he was not authorized to discuss a private meeting, "strongly" denied Cuomo had threatened to remove any sheriff.

Last week, the Sheriffs' Association as well as several elected sheriffs filed an amicus curiae brief supporting a federal challenge to the SAFE Act.

Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Sheriffs-Cuomo-asked-for-silence-4532930.php#ixzz2TxMHCLLj