New Yorkers Against Gun Violence
Working to Reduce Gun Violence Since 1993
3 West 29th Street, Suite 1007, New York, NY 10001
Telephone - (212) 679-2345 Fax - (212) 679-2484 Email – Website -
Board of Directors
Richard M. Aborn
Thomas Christopher
Joyce Gorycki
Freddie Hamilton
Wallace Hasan
Roger Hayes
Barbara Hohlt
Andy Pelosi
Nancy Regalado
Luis Salgado, Sr.
Hon. Michelle Schimel
Edie Smith
Michael Steber
Sheldon Teperman, MD F.A.C.S.
Alfredo Valentin
Joan Wallstein
John Williams
Officers
Chair
Roger Hayes
Vice President
Joan Wallstein
Treasurer
Barbara Hohlt
Secretary
Edie Smith
Honorary Board
Martin Brennan
Anne & Innes Cargill
Al Frey
Ralph Hubbard
Katina Johnstone
Hon. Carolyn McCarthy
Catherine Murphy
Phyllis Murray
Hon. Daniel O’Donnell
Yvonne Pope
Odile Stern
Linda White
Richard Wooding
Hon. David Yassky
Executive Director
Jackie Kuhls
CHAPTERS
New York City
Capital District
Nassau
Westchester
February 21, 2007
Senator Carl L. Marcellino
Chair, Environmental Conservation
250 Townsend Square
Oyster Bay, NY 11771
by facsimile: 518-426-6975
Dear Senator Marcellino,
I am writing regarding the nomination of Assemblyman Pete Grannis for Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). This nomination has been opposed by the gun lobby due primarily to Assemblyman Grannis’ support for sensible gun legislation. While the gun lobby may differ in their views on some of these legislative matters, it is important to note that objections based on such legislation are not relevant to Assemblyman Grannis’ proposed tenure at DEC, and serve only as a distraction from the actual requirements of the position.
New Yorkers Against Gun Violence (NYAGV) has historically had little if any contact with DEC. Our mission is to reduce gun deaths and injuries in New York State and our primary focus toward this end is to reduce the number of illegal guns (primarily handguns) on our streets. The mission of DEC is to conserve and protect New York’s natural resources, as such there is little overlap with NYAGV.
Even if a discussion of Assemblyman Grannis’ position on gun laws were relevant to the role of DEC Commissioner, the gun lobby’s position is simply out of touch with their own members. Polls routinely show that most hunters are supportive of sensible gun laws of the type Assemblyman Grannis has supported in the past. Most recently, a poll published in January 2007, found that hunters support sensible gun laws at nearly the same high rate as the public at large[1].
I urge you to look past the distraction of gun lobby rhetoric and consider the nominee’s qualifications for preserving and protecting the natural resources of our state. It would be a shame if a legislator was more responsive to the gun lobby than to environmental conservation organizations when deciding who would be a suitable environmental conservation commissioner. Please contact me if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Jackie Kuhls
3 West 29th Street, Suite 1007, New York, NY 10001
Telephone - (212) 679-2345 Fax - (212) 679-2484 Email – Website -
[1]Strong Public Support for Tough Enforcement of Common Sense Gun Laws, The Tarrance Group, January 23, 2007