1,000's of gun advocates attend rally

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Its been less than a week after New York passed the tightest gun control laws in the Nation causing gun advocates to voice their opinions.

Western New Yorkers are sending a message to Governor Andrew Cuomo that they do not support the New York SAFE Act.

The first of its kind reform was signed into law last week. Those who oppose the New York SAFE Act quickly scheduled a rally through social media where nearly one thousand people came to Niagara Square Saturday.

Gun owners say the thing they fear the most is what may be taken from them.

Photos of the gun rally can be found on our Gun Appreciation Day Rally gallery.

One gun owner from Buffalo, George Hender said, "It's about control. Once they start taking the guns, the next thing you know they'll be taking something else."

Saturday's Gun Appreciation Day Rally in Niagara Square was planned long before the bill was signed. When the Governor signed it, New York had the most restrictive gun laws in the nation.

Veteran Adam Henrich of Eden says his biggest complaint is how quickly the law was passed. "They pushed it through overnight. This is not how a democracy works or a constitutional republic. Our governor should be ashamed of himself. Our senators that voted for it should be ashamed of themselves and our representatives should be ashamed of themselves."

Organizers got the word out mainly online to the massive crowd and say the group has a consensus feeling about the reform.

Co-organizer Nick Orticelli said, "People forget that America doesn't get invaded by other countries because we the people are armed. You take our arms away, expect to be attacked."

The rally followed into the Statler to continue the discussion of how many people are affected by this new law.