Retired Cops Angry with New York Gun Law
By: Ashley Zilka
Updated: January 18, 2013
Retired cops say they're highly trained and have always been able to carry the same ammo as active duty officers. Now that right has been taken away.
After serving 33 years, Dane Brown retired from the Rochester Police Department in 2001. The state's new gun control law, New York Safe, has left him frustrated. He says lawmakers didn't take retired officers into consideration.
"I feel like something has been taken away from me, has been shoved down my throat, without any talk about it," said Brown.
The law limits the number of rounds in a magazine to seven. However, active and off-duty police officers are exempt. Retired cops want the same rights.
"I carried a gun for 33 years and still do on occasions now. I can't carry that gun now the way I carried it back then. I have to make sure I have only seven bullets in it," said Brown.
Mike Mazzeo, of the Rochester Police Locust Club, says the state rushed legislation without input from police.
"If we don't get people to buy into it, it's not going to be successful," said Mazzeo.
Brown was trained to use guns to protect people. He says that doesn't go away when you retire.
"It's the nature of the beast. You have done it all your life so if you see someone in a jam, you are going to try to help them. Just like I think the average citizen would do that," said Brown.
Mazzeo says retired officers have always helped active cops protect citizens. They turn the department into a larger police force.
"My concern is this is gun legislation today, what are they going to do next week in two days? I think everybody is more upset about that than the actual legislation," said Mazzeo.
"It's hard to tell people, especially retired policemen or the general public, who has carried a gun legally for many, many years that now you have to change," said Brown.
After serving 33 years, Dane Brown retired from the Rochester Police Department in 2001. The state's new gun control law, New York Safe, has left him frustrated. He says lawmakers didn't take retired officers into consideration.
"I feel like something has been taken away from me, has been shoved down my throat, without any talk about it," said Brown.
The law limits the number of rounds in a magazine to seven. However, active and off-duty police officers are exempt. Retired cops want the same rights.
"I carried a gun for 33 years and still do on occasions now. I can't carry that gun now the way I carried it back then. I have to make sure I have only seven bullets in it," said Brown.
Mike Mazzeo, of the Rochester Police Locust Club, says the state rushed legislation without input from police.
"If we don't get people to buy into it, it's not going to be successful," said Mazzeo.
Brown was trained to use guns to protect people. He says that doesn't go away when you retire.
"It's the nature of the beast. You have done it all your life so if you see someone in a jam, you are going to try to help them. Just like I think the average citizen would do that," said Brown.
Mazzeo says retired officers have always helped active cops protect citizens. They turn the department into a larger police force.
"My concern is this is gun legislation today, what are they going to do next week in two days? I think everybody is more upset about that than the actual legislation," said Mazzeo.
"It's hard to tell people, especially retired policemen or the general public, who has carried a gun legally for many, many years that now you have to change," said Brown.
