The new law the way it's written reenactors are not allowed to carry a firearm, a musket loading type rifle, black powder rifle, flintlock rifle, whatever because it's in violation of the new law. The new gun law of New York state has claimed its first casualty: the Battle of Plattsburgh. It's the first event happening after the new law went into effect on the 1st. There's nothing in the law that let's an exemption happen or a waiver happen for an event in a historical significance like we have here in Plattsburgh. We have over 70 reenactors that were coming to this event. Very disappointing."
Link to full article:
https://www.wamc.org/news/2022-09-08/new-gun-law-prohibits-battle-of-plattsburgh-reenactments
Very very sad.
:wb:So frustrating!
UPDATE:
STATE OF POLITICS
APRIL 13, 2023
STATE OF POLITICS
Re-enactors want clear gun language in final budget deal
BY NICK REISMAN ALBANY/CAPITAL REGION
PUBLISHED 5:00 AM ET APR. 13, 2023
Officials in charge of historic forts and battlefields are urging state lawmakers and Gov. Kathy Hochul to formally exempt re-enactments from gun law changes last year that limited where firearms can be in public as part of a final budget deal.
The push from the organizations this week comes as the state budget is in flux and months after Hochul first proposed easing restrictions on guns for designated security personnel in houses of worship.
"Historical reenactments at Old Fort Niagara and historic sites across New York State could be a thing of the past unless the New York State Legislature takes timely action," said Robert Emerson, the executive director of Old Fort Niagara.
The law approved last year in the wake of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that found the state's century-old concealed carry law was unconstitutional included new parameters for where firearms are permitted in public.
Almost immediately, re-enactors worried the law was too broadly written and would cover their activities. Hochul has previously called those concerns overblown.
Nevertheless, Hochul's $227 billion budget proposal this year included clarifications for where guns can be carried, including exemptions on large areas like the Adirondack and Catskills state parks. The budget included language, too, for allowing the use of firearms on TV and film production sets as well as in historical re-enactments and ceremonial use in funerals and memorial services.
A version of the changes were backed in the state Senate's budget proposal, but not by the state Assembly's plan.
Re-enactment sites are cocnerned with the effect the law's current language is having on their business, including the impact of cancelled events and the financial loss incurred by the non-profit entities that control the sites.
"At Old Fort Niagara in Youngstown, reenactments generate a full 21% of our site's annual operating revenue," Emerson said.
Thank you for the update. It's encouraging to see that the exemption appears to have been made official.
It's all very well and good to say that participants' concerns were "overblown" and think, "of COURSE we wouldn't prosecute a re-enactor" - but that's not a legally binding statement, and would be cold comfort to someone on the wrong end of an overly cautious or overzealous police officer or prosecutor.