Never thought it could happen? Using the COVID model, Cuomo declares a State of Emergency over 'gun violence'. Confiscation in one form (direct) or another (rule based) is imminent. (Climate change emergencies are next.) @JohnRLottJr @marcmorano https://t.co/GNTG0EPOCa
— Vicki McKenna (@VickiMcKenna) July 7, 2021
BY TYLER O’NEIL
On Tuesday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) pioneered a new strategy to grasp for near-dictatorial power: declaring gun violence in the state of New York a “public health crisis” and a “disaster emergency.” Cuomo touted his “first-in-the-nation” initiative as a positive step for New York, rather than an excuse to circumvent the legislature. Cuomo even cited his own tyrannical abuses during the COVID-19 pandemic as precedent for the overreach.
Democrats have dropped hints that they might use various “public health” emergency declarations as an excuse to grasp power and circumvent the normal legislative process. Democrats have filed a bill to declare a national emergency on climate, for example. President Joe Biden himself has called guns a “public health crisis,” and perhaps Cuomo intends to inspire Biden to run roughshod over Congress.
“We’re building New York back better than ever before, but part of rebuilding is addressing the systemic injustices that were exposed by COVID. If you look at the recent numbers, more people are now dying from gun violence and crime than COVID – this is a national problem but someone has to step up and address this problem because our future depends on it,” Cuomo said in a statement on the executive order.
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“Just like we did with COVID, New York is going to lead the nation once again with a comprehensive approach to combating and preventing gun violence, and our first step is acknowledging the problem with a first-in-the-nation disaster emergency on gun violence. When we see an injustice we don’t look the other way, we stand up and fight it because that’s the New York way,” the governor added.
