Buffalo, NY (WBEN) The myriad of changes in gun laws that took effect this month in New York State are affecting gun sales at local retail outlets. Gun store owners say they are no longer able to sell semi-automatic firearms, even to police, and say that's causing sales to take a noticeable hit.
Rexford Vosburgh of Caliber Arms & Ammo says he can no longer sell semi-automatic firearms. "Until they come out with how you get a license to purchase semi automatic rifles, I can't sell any rifles other than to law enforcement," says Vosburgh. He says for other types of firearms, the process stays the same. "You still need an ID and a background check," says Vosburgh. Tuesday was the first day he was open since the new law took effect over the holiday weekend, so he won't know how much of a hit he will take sales wise.
Dean Adamski of DD's Ranch says he's concerned about the new laws. "This is my livelihood. This is my kids livelihood. It's, it's gonna be detrimental to our future," says Adamski. He says the laws put semi-automatic firearms sales to a screeching halt. "They implemented it starting September 4, where you need a semi automatic rifle permit to purchase a semi automatic rifle, whether it be a 1022 for your kid or whatever. And there's no process and even application process to do get a permit," says Adamski.
Adamski says he can still sell ammo. "We have to take down people's information, including their their address, date of birth, their occupation. So we're still selling ammo, we have to make a log of the ammo transactions and what they purchased," explains Adamski. He also can sell bolt action rifles, pump action shotguns, semi automatic shotguns, but he notes that wasn't the bulk of his business to begin with. "It's the market in the shooting, demographics around here is semi automatic," adds Adamski.
Adamski believes the state is trying to get back at the Supreme Court at the expense of New Yorkers. "They are punishing the law abiding citizen in trying to make a point," contends Adamski. "I believe it's a point against that Supreme Court ruling that they're not going to tell us what to do. We're going to, we're going to show them and we're going to take away more and more rights."
Adamski says he's contacted lawmakers who agree with him, but in Albany those lawmakers are in the minority.
