NYSRPA's response to Senator Jeff Klein's assertion that gun control has made New York safer

ALBANY, NY (12/12/2013)(readMedia)-- The New York State Rifle & Pistol Association would like to respond to remarks made by State Senator Jeffrey Klein in a discussion with Times-Union reporter Casey Seiler on Wednesday. Specifically, we would like to address this statement made by Senator Klein:

"... Despite [NYSRPA's] opposition to some of the toughest gun control laws in the nation, New York is much safer today thanks to the NY SAFE Act ..."

Apparently Senator Klein has been too preoccupied with other things lately to notice that the New York City chapter of the National Organization for Women disagrees with him. In a report filed by WCBS 880's Monica Miller on Tuesday, NOW-NYC president Sonia Ossorio said that reported rapes have gone up 57 percent since 2009.

"There is a reason guns are often called the great equalizer," said NYSRPA President Thomas King. "Firearms put women on equal footing with men and give them the ability to defend themselves against aggressors who are generally larger and stronger than they are. Instead of empowering women, Senator Klein has made it more difficult for women to have access to the best and most effective means of personal protection. The results speak for themselves."