New York Sheriff's Association opposes NY SAFE Act - The New York State Sheriffs’ Association has joined as amicus curiae in a lawsuit brought by the New York State Rifle and Pistol Association challenging the constitutionality of several provisions of the NY SAFE Act. Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol has been a member of the NYS Sheriff’s Association since taking office as sheriff in 2011, serves on several committees, and is currently serving as the association’s sergeant at arms. “As soon as I learned of the potential to become part of this important process, I immediately advised the NYS Sheriff’s Association of my support for this action,” Maciol said.

Sheriff Howard on SAFE Act: ‘I won’t enforce it’ - It’s no secret Sheriff Timothy B. Howard is opposed to New York’s new gun-control law. But Howard, who is running for re-election this year, is now ratcheting up his opposition by filing a friend of the court brief in the lawsuit seeking to overturn the SAFE Act and, even more important perhaps, by suggesting the law not be enforced. “I’m more than reluctant,” he said of the new law Thursday. “I won’t enforce it.” Howard, one of four sheriffs who joined in filing the brief this week, said he considers the law unconstitutional and a waste of valuable resources, and believes it will ultimately be overturned by the courts.

Putnam sheriff backs legal challenge gun control law - Putnam County Sheriff Donald Smith, the immediate past president of the New York State Sheriffs’ Association, Tuesday said he supports the friend of the court brief filed in support of the lawsuit challenging the state’s SAFE Act. The association filed the brief in the case of New York State Rifle and Pistol Association against Governor Andrew Cuomo, which is in US District Court for the Western District of New York. Smith said the governor and state legislature “pushed the legislation through fast because they wanted it passed so badly, and unfortunately what resulted was bad law.”

Gun Law Causes Pistol Permit Backlog - Since New York's new gun control law was adopted, St. Lawrence County Clerk Mary Lou Rupp says the number of people seeking pistol permits has skyrocketed.  "It has been a struggle to keep up. Our staff has really done an amazing job, but it has meant extra comp time and, as far as office expense, it's been huge," said Rupp.  There are more than 17,000 people in the county with pistol permits.  About 3,800 of them have signed opt-out forms to keep their personal information private.  The high demand for handgun permits is putting a strain on the Sheriff's Office and its deputies, who do a majority of the required fingerprinting and background checks on each applicant before any decision is made.