Supporters stand up for NY SAFE Act

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Supporters of the NY SAFE Act rallied in Buffalo to stand behind the sweeping gun control measures.

Since its passage, those opposing the NY SAFE Act have held several rallies. Friday marked the first time in Buffalo those in favor of the nation's strictest gun law made their voices heard.

About 50 people gathered inside the Schiller Park Senior Center with Assemblyman Crystal People-Stokes and Senator Tim Kennedy, both who voted for the SAFE Act.

The lawmakers say it is not perfect but is a good start to getting guns off the streets. But the message they really want to get to the governor is to restore the discretionary funds, what some people call "pork," that has been frozen for the past three years.

Each lawmaker used to get about $100,000 a year to share with community groups like MAD DADS, Stop the Violence Coalition and Back to Basics Outreach Ministries. Those organizations aren't getting that funding now and say they're struggling.

Pastor James Giles of Back to Basics Outreach Ministries said, "We need funding. We've been doing this free of charge. We're on the line. We're risking our lives going into neighborhoods trying to reduce violence at no charge. We're not saying a lot of money, but help us get equipment and some of the things we need."

Assemblyman Crystal Peoples-Stokes added, "Those things have an impact on communities that don't have the ability to raise the resources themselves."

At this news conference, we also learned that a local health care union is sending buses to Albany next Thursday to counter all the gun rights advocates who are planning to assemble there.