CAPITAL DISTRICT-SARATOGA Chapter

2025 Meeting Dates

February 18
March 18
April 15 CANCELLED
May 20
June 17
July 15
August 19
September 16
October 21
November 18

The Saratoga / Capital District SCOPE Email Newsletter: April 2025

Members and Friends of Saratoga / Capital District SCOPE, please find this email with second amendment news that may be of interest to you. 

Below are news items and firearm related interest stories that occurred over the past few weeks…

CAPITAL DISTRICT SCOPE RELATED NEWS:

Meetings in 2025 are the third Tuesday of each month.  The dates are as follows:  May 20th, June 17th, July 15th, August 19th, September 16th, October 21st, November 18th. 
Announcement: we are looking for a treasurer, ours is about to retire.

STATE SCOPE RELATED NEWS:

State SCOPE has visited the Schoharie and Seneca chapters. SCOPE officials also visited the Tioga County Sportsmen's Association with the goal of boosting membership and exploring the possibility of starting a SCOPE Chapter in Tioga County. The visit proved successful in attracting several new members to SCOPE, though there was no interest from attendees in taking on the responsibility of leading a new chapter in the area.

The President also shared SCOPE’s strategic vision for 2025-2026, which includes developing a robust social media plan, creating a merchandise strategy, and certifying SCOPE range instructors. Additionally, the SCOPE Board of Directors approved of a significant donation to Gun Owners of America New York (GOA-NY) to support their lawsuit against the controversial ammunition background check law; and to the Firearms Policy Coalition lawsuit against the ban of body armor in New York State.

SCOPE officials are making plans to brief the majority and minority leaders in the New York State legislature, as well as senators and assemblypersons on SCOPE’s Top Ten Most Egregious Firearms Legislation. 

LOCAL 2A RELATED NEWS:

Albany-Colonie

New Lebanon man pleads guilty in Colonie gun store burglary case.  Paul Gervasio, along with co-defendant Willie Moses, burglarized NY Shooter Supply in Colonie on November 14, 2024, stealing 14 firearms.  Albany County District Attorney Lee Kindlon announced today, 37-year-old Paul Gervasio admitted to Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree.  Gervasio is facing a state prison sentence of 10 years, followed by five years of post-release supervision, with sentencing scheduled for May 29.

Coxsackie-Athens

Support the Coxsackie-Athens School Trap Team, they could use your help and you help may foster tomorrow’s stewards of the second amendment.  https://www.facebook.com/coxsackieathenstrap/

NEW YORK STATE 2A RELATED NEWS:

Three New Gun Laws Passed in NYS, as of April 3, 2025

1)     The first law adds penalties for using “pistol converters,” which are rapid-fire modification devices that can be attached to semi-automatic pistols.  It requires gun shops to make "reasonable" efforts to prevent the sale or installation of the devices.

2)     The second law strengthens the warnings that gun dealers must provide to customers about the risk of firearms. The information would warn about the dangers of gun ownership including increased risk of suicide, death during domestic disputes, and the unintentional death of children, household members and others.

3)     The third law requires credit card companies to use the merchant category code for firearms and ammunition retailers. Hochul said this will give law enforcement information on who may be stockpiling ammunition (in other words to spy on you without due process and abuse your privacy on purchasing a legal item to make an illegal database on your purchases).

Ghost Gun Manufacturing in New York

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has called on desktop 3D printer manufacturers to create security measures to prevent people from using their machines to create unserialized firearms by sending them a warning letter.  Creality manufactures 3D printing machines and software and did not respond to the letter sent to them by Bragg.  https://www.voxelmatters.com/prosecutors-warn-3d-printing-companies-about-stopping-spread-of-ghost-guns/

New York Federal District Judge’s Decision on Stun Guns and Tasers

After the Supreme Court of the United States ruled UNANIMOUSLY in a Massachusetts case (2016’s Caetano v. Massachusetts) that stun gun bans are unconstitutional and you thought this topic was a closed and decided issue, a New York judge (Calce v. City of New York) just upheld that stun guns and tasers can be banned in New York State.  He ruled that instead of the state proving they are not in common use (even though the Supreme Court said there were 200,000 in use), the judge stated the plaintiff has the burden to prove that they are in common use. 
https://thereload.com/federal-judge-becomes-first-to-uphold-stun-gun-ban-since-2016-supreme-court-case/

Current NY BILLS (not all of them) Here we go again. 

NY Assembly

·   A 346, Assemblywoman Paulin, Under 21 purchase ban.

·   A 360, requires a hunting licence, safety course, 90% accuracy exam, drug test, metal health exam, p[roof of safe storage, to purchase a firearm

·   A 436, Includes pistol converters in the definition of a rapid-fire modification device.  https://nyassembly.gov/leg/?bn=a836

·   A 437, Assemblyman Dinowitz, Suicide warning signs would be required on-site at any establishment that sells, displays, or delivers firearms.

·   A 544, Assemblywoman Paulin, requires police officers to take temporary custody of firearms when responding to reports of family violence. As always, these bills are infringements on due process rights. This bill was amended and recommitted to the House Codes Committee on February 28th.

·   NY A 814, Directs the Commissioner of Health to develop and implement a public awareness campaign on the safe storage of firearms, rifles and shotguns and child access and prevention. https://nyassembly.gov/leg/?bn=a814

·   NY A 929.  Allows the prosecution any individual seller of firearms or retail firearms (in all of the USA and the world) if they knowingly sell ammunition to a resident of the state of New without contacting the New York state police for authorization pursuant to section two hundred twenty-eight of this chapter and any other law, rule or regulation.

·   A 1920, bansentry to gun shows for anyone under 12

·   A 2060, Assemblywoman Rajkumar, Requires any firearm manufactured by a three-dimensional printer to contain a unique identifying number and to be registered with the state police.

·   A 2228, Assemblywoman Rajkumar, requires background checks in order to purchase a 3D printer.  This bill remains in the House Codes Committee.

·   A 5105, makes criminal possession of a weapon the known possession of ghost gun, unless a dealer or gunsmith

·   NY A5817, enhancing sentences for firearms within 5,000 feet of a school

·   A 6113, Assemblyman Benedetto, prohibits the issuing of firearms licenses to individuals on the federal no-fly list or terrorist screening database. This bill is also a violation of due process rights, and these lists have a long history of abuse attached to them. It was only last year that Tulsi Gabbard was placed on a domestic terror watchlist without any form of recourse, despite that fact that she had committed no crimes. The action itself coming as a form of political retribution from the Biden administration. NY A 6113 was introduced and referred to the House Codes Committee on February 26th.

NYSenate

·   S 418, Senator Gianaris, prohibits the purchase of more than 1 firearm during any period of 30 days and its companion bill, NY A 1774, from Assemblywoman Rosenthal.

·   S 744, Senator Hoylman-Sigal, a “Rapid-fire modification device” ban that includes any bump stock, trigger-crank, binary trigger system, burst trigger system, “pistol converter,” or any other device designed to accelerate a firearms rate of fire. This bill passed the Senate and was referred to the House Codes Committee on February 3rd.

·   S 1273, Bans all open carry of rifle or shotgun except for hunting

·   S 1289, Establishes the Office of Gun Violence Prevention and the Gun Violence Advisory Council.

·   S 1358, Senator Serrano, Would require all pistols to be equipped with a permanent "Child Proofing Device."

·   S 1985, REQUIRES officers to take temporary possession of firearms when responding to reports of family violence

·   S 2089, Senator Kavanagh, expands background checks to include juvenile delinquency records for persons under age 30 when purchasing a firearm.  This bill remains in the Senate Children and Families Committee.

·   NY S 2158, Senator Comrie, establishes a database of information relating to the sale or use of micro-stamped guns. (Micro-stamped referring to firearms with firing pins that imprint unique markings onto cartridge casings.)  This bill remains in the Senate Codes Committee.

·   S 2447, establishes a minimum age to possess a firearm

·   S-3385, Enacts “Francesco’s law” which establishes violations for the failure to safely store rifles, shotguns, and firearms in the presence of a minor or a prohibited person

·   S 4277, bans 50 caliber or larger

·   S 4388, bans marketing firearms and firearm related products to minors, except for hunting

·   S 4807, one rifle or shotgun purchase per 90 days

·   S 5279, Senator Sepulveda, directs the state police to develop regulations regarding bulk purchase of firearms or ammunition and investigating those purchases for potential criminal activity. This bill is a direct infringement on gun owners’ privacy rights. It was referred to the Senate Finance Committee on February 20th.

·   S 5292, bans firearm sales on state, county or municipal property

·   S 5818, Senator Sepulveda, allows anyone (excluding state or local government officers and employees) to bring civil action against those who manufacture, distribute, or sell “assault weapons” or “ghost guns” or their parts within the state, including those who aid or abet or intend to do so. The bill also goes as far to explicitly state that defendants cannot use defenses such as ignorance of the law or belief in the unconstitutionality of the requirements. This bill was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 3rd.

·   S 5952, Senator Parker, requires any firearm manufactured by a 3D printer to contain a unique identifying number and to be registered with the state police. This bill was introduced and referred to the Senate Consumer Protection Committee on March 4^th.

·   S 5974, Senator Parker, requires firearm owners to obtain liability insurance of covering at least 1 million dollars in potential damages. This bill was introduced and referred to the Senate Insurance Committee on March 4th.

Both NY Assembly and NY Senate Companion Bills

·   S-227 / A 1777, 3D printed firearm selling, printing or disposing is a class A misdemeanor

·   S-399 / A 199, Makes it illegal for certain persons to possess or sell a pistol converter or a converted pistol.

·   S 1289 / A 2084, establishes the office of gun violence prevention and gun violence advisory council

·   S 1455 / A 1191, Senator Kavanagh, Allowing the division of criminal justice services to certify the technological viability of "personalized handguns" and to establish requirements related to the sale of "personalized handguns", along with its companion bill, A 1191, from Assemblyman Bores. (Personalized handguns referring to pistols or revolvers that could be programmed to function only when activated by the firearm's lawful owner or other authorized user.) First, they create a roster of approved "smart guns," then after that becomes a thing, they can restrict traditional handguns into oblivion.

·   S 3385 / A 1962, safe storage violations

·   NY S 5813 / A 6024, Senator Sepulveda, and NY A 6024, Assemblywoman Simon, both bills relate to imposing excise taxes firearms and ammunition. S 5813 was introduced and referred to the Senate Budget and Revenue Committee on March 3rd, while A 6024 was referred to House Ways and Means Committee on February 25th.For educational and discussion purposes only.

OTHER STATES - QUICKIE NEWS:

Colorado – Bad News, House and Senate Pass Semi Auto Ban

The Colorado House and Senate passed the Democrats’ semiautomatic firearm ban.  SB25-3, targets firearms which state Democrats define as a “specified semiautomatic firearm.”  SB25-003 says, in part: The bill defines a “specified semiautomatic firearm” as a semiautomatic rifle or semiautomatic shotgun with a detachable magazine or a gas-operated semiautomatic handgun with a detachable magazine. The bill prohibits knowingly manufacturing, distributing, transferring, selling, or purchasing a specified semiautomatic firearm; except that a person may transfer a specified semiautomatic firearm to an heir, an individual residing in another state, or a federally licensed firearm dealer.  In addition to banning numerous shotguns and the AR-15, which is most popular rifle in America, SB 25-3 would also prohibit “gas-operated semiautomatic handguns that have a detachable ammunition magazine.”  Differences in the legislation passed by the House and Senate must now be reconciled before the ban makes it to Gov. Jared Polis’s (D) desk for his signature or veto.  He signed it.

NATIONAL 2A RELATED NEWS:

Supreme Court Ghost Gun Kit Ruling.  You may have to search for ghost guns on the web site.  https://www.scotusblog.com/2025/03/supreme-court-upholds-regulation-of-ghost-guns

INTERNATIONAL

Hackers Expose Gun Owners Personal Data

Iranian hackers hack Israli government database of Israeli gun owners and expose them.  Could this happen here, yes!  When a government or hostile force gets its hands on a gun registry, it becomes a roadmap for disarming civilians, persecuting political opponents, or enabling criminal enterprises.  If hostile foreign actors can compromise Israeli security databases, what’s stopping similar groups—or even an overreaching domestic agency—from misusing American gun owner data? The best way to protect gun owners from cyber threats, government overreach, and criminal targeting is simple: don’t maintain a registry in the first place.  Hackers already exposed Tesla dealers and vehicle owners in this country.  https://www.ammoland.com/2025/03/iran-linked-hack-exposes-israeli-gun-owners-warning-against-gun-registries/

Camo Clothing Ban in Other Countries

Countries like Barbados, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Grenada, Dominica, St. Vincent, and the Grenadines share a hard line: camouflage clothing is off-limits for civilians. That’s no camo pants, no camo hats, and in some spots, not even a camo backpack.  Show up in camouflage, and you might face fines, lose your gear, or get a stern talking-to at customs.

MISC.

What to do When a Gun Owner Dies.

Call the Police and File a Report with the Court.  When a gun owner dies, one would first need to determine whether the New York Penal Law considers the gun a firearm or not. If it is not a firearm (e.g., antique firearms, rifles with barrels over 16 inches in length, and shotguns with barrels over 18 inches in length), they can be transferred freely without the oversight of a licensed gun dealer. If it is a firearm, the procedures of the NY SAFE Act must be strictly followed in the transfer.  Also determine whether the firearm is registered or not. If it is not registered, it is considered contraband and considered a “nuisance.” It cannot be passed down to the heirs and must be turned over to law enforcement. https://nyestateslawyer.com/what-to-do-when-a-gun-owner-dies

Civilians stop more active shooters than police?

You’d never know it from watching television, but civilians stop more active shooters than police and do so with fewer mistakes, according to new research from the Crime Prevention Research Center.  https://thefederalist.com/2025/03/11/study-concealed-carriers-do-a-better-job-of-stopping-active-shooters-than-police

Government Surplus 1911 Sales

Trump restores the sale of surplus 1911 .45 pistols from the civilian marksmanship program (CMP) after Obama and Biden halted sales.

ACTION ITEMS:

Send an email to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin saying you want him to oppose any restrictions future on lead ammo and to abolish all inquiries into it. 

Lee Zeldin, EPA Administrator
Administrator Office Code 1101A
Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20460
Phone: (202) 564-4700
Zeldin.Lee@epa.gov

Put your assembly and senate representatives on your cell phone contact list and every time you hear about a second amendment infringement, let them know you don’t approve and need them to vote against it.

COMMENTARY:

NYS Concealed Carry in State Parks

In NY, one may not legally carry an otherwise legally licensed handgun within a State Park. I’m curious that NYS officials are so certain that you’re not going to be attacked by a bear (nor a human murderer) while you’re within the confines of a NY State Park that they’ve made it illegal for you to carry your handgun there (from ammoland).

Privacy.  Without Privacy, the Second Amendment Fails

This is so true.  Privacy in weaponry, especially in the home, has always been an important part of the Second Amendment. In the United States, we are well on the way to a cultural understanding that privacy in gun ownership is an essential part of ordered liberty. (Dean Weingarten, ammoland.  For some reason this link redirects to another article.  If you search ammoland for privacy the correct article should come up. https://www.ammoland.com/2025/04/without-privacy-the-second-amendment-fails/

CLOSING:

Thanks for being a member or friend of Saratoga / Capital District SCOPE.  I like hearing from you.  Feel free to forward articles for the newsletter, especially local stuff to Capnospam@nycap.rr.com

Join SCOPE or Renew here  https://scopeny2a.org/membership

Shooters Committee On Political Education (SCOPE).
We are a statewide 501(c)4 organization dedicated to preserving and defending the 2nd amendment rights for the residents of New York State.