BY JEFF CHUDZINSKI
North Country This Week

GOUVERNEUR — Over 125 Second Amendment advocates gathered in Gouverneur on Saturday, Oct. 15 at a “Save Our Second Amendment Rally.”

Rep. Elise Stefanik’s campaign organized the event, which also featured New York State Senate candidate Mark Walczyk, Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush, Assembly candidate Scott Grey and a host of other Republican candidates who are on the ballot this fall.

“Your Second Amendment rights are on the ballot this fall. We have a great opportunity to elect a Republican to the governorship with Lee Zeldin but we need to make sure everyone gets out there and votes,” Stefanik told the crowd.

Rep. Zeldin is running against Democrat Kathy Hochul in the governor’s race.

While addressing the crowd, Walczyk called on his counterparts in Albany to uphold their oath of office.

“When we raise our right hand and swear on that bible, we promise to uphold the constitution. By voting for the Concealed Carry Improvement Act this summer, Democrats in the Senate and Assembly failed to uphold their oaths,” he said.

Walczyk is running unopposed as he seeks to replace the retiring Patty Ritchie.

St. Lawrence County Sheriff Brooks Bigwarfe also took an opportunity to address the crowd, assuring them he and his office are aware of their concerns.

“My office gets calls from concerned citizens everyday, wondering what is legal and what isn’t now. We hear you, we understand and we’re with you,” he said.

Bigwarfe also commented that his office has distributed well over 100 signs to private businesses that allow concealed carry on premises.

Under the new laws passed this summer any private private business that allows conceal carry on the premises must post a sign for the general public informing them it is allowed.

Lawsuits continue to pile up against the new CCIA, with many progressing through the federal courts.

According to the speakers at the rally, that won’t be enough to ensure the laws are overturned. Each called for the crowd to get out and vote and to ensure all registered voters get out and vote.

“During the last election we had just 37% turnout from registered Republicans. If we can get to even 40% we can make a big change in New York,” Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush said.

Rep. Stefanik closed out the event by calling on registered voters to “vote early and vote Republican.”

“It’s time we fire Kathy Hochul once and for all. Get out and vote, a red tsunami is coming to New York this fall,” she said.