NYS GOP Chairman: Repeal New York gun law

By Erika Mahoney
March 15, 2013 Updated Mar 15, 2013 at 11:54 PM EDT

Binghamton, NY (WBNG Binghamton) In the wake of this week's rampage in Herkimer that left four people dead and two critically wounded, some Republicans remain steadfast against the New York SAFE Act.

Republican Congressman Richard Hanna grew up in Herkimer and says he attended a candlelight vigil for the shooting victims Thursday night.

He says there are no words to describe the tragedy and that more needs to be done to keep weapons out of the hands of the wrong people, including better background checks.

But, he doesn't think the New York SAFE Act is the answer.

"I don't like it, I'll be honest," Hanna said. "Frankly, whether you like the policy or not -- and there are things to talk about -- but the way it was handled and the way it was shoved through legislatively, was wrong. People weren't allowed to debate let alone read it."

The New York State GOP Chairman is also critical of the way the law was passed.

"The provisions of the SAFE Act would not have done anything to impact the tragedy at Newtown, Conn., or the tragedy in Herkimer," GOP Chairman Ed Cox said. "Those are more of a question of mental health and other issues. It is an abridgment on second amendment rights."

Cox says the act should be repealed.