Gun control supporters clear losers in yesterday's elections

SAFE Act supporters lose their jobs across the state

ALBANY, NY (11/05/2014)(readMedia)-- From Long Island to Buffalo yesterday's election results are a repudiation of gun control. Here are the results.

On Long Island:

  • SAFE Act opponent Lee Zeldin defeated New Yorkers Against Gun Violence endorsed incumbent Congressman Tim Bishop in District 1.
  • SAFE Act supporter Assemblyman Ed Hennessey was defeated by pro-gun Dean Murray in District 3.

In the Hudson Valley:

  • NYSRPA endorsed Sue Serino defeated New Yorkers Against Gun Violence endorsed incumbent and SAFE Act supporter Senator Terry Gipson in District 41.
  • New Yorkers Against Gun Violence Board member and endorsed candidate Justin Wagner was defeated for the second time in Senate District 40.

In the Capital District:

  • NYSRPA endorsed George Amedore defeated incumbent SAFE Act supporter Senator Cecilia Tkaczyk in District 46.

In the North Country:

  • SAFE Act supporter Assemblywoman Addie Russell lost to NRA endorsed John Byrne in District 116.

In Central NY:

  • NRA endorsed John Katko defeated antigun incumbent Congressman Dan Maffei in District 24.

In Western NY:

  • NYSRPA endorsed Peter Lawrence defeated New Yorkers Against Gun Violence endorsed Gary Pudup in Assembly District 134.
  • New Yorkers Against Gun Violence endorsed incumbent and SAFE Act supporter Senator Ted O'Brien lost in District 55.
  • New Yorkers Against Gun Violence endorsed incumbent and SAFE Act supporter Senator Mark Grisanti lost in District 60.

"While Rob Astorino was unsuccessful in his gubernatorial bid, much of his loss can be attributed to the lack of support by the Republican establishment," said NYSRPA President Tom King. "Elsewhere, in elections across the state, gun control supporters were the clear losers. In fact, loss of the numeric Democrat majority in the State Senate can be directly attributed to the current administration's gun control policies."

King concluded, "If the Republicans were smart they would learn from this. If not, they should consider this as well: In spite of the fact that Senator Martin Golden fully supported the so-called SAFE Act, New Yorkers Against Gun Violence still came out and publicly endorsed his opponent."