ALBANY—Sponsors of a measure that would require handgun permits to be renewed every five years are courting an unlikely ally: State Senator Tom Libous, a Republican from Binghamton.
State Senator Eric Schneiderman reached out to Libous in light of the fact that Jiverly Wong, the gunman responsible for a massacre at the American Civic Association that killed people 13 people earlier this month, may have had his guns taken away under the provisions of the bill. The measure, which is co-sponsored by Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, would require handgun permits to be renewed every five years, as is currently the case on Long Island.
"I know Eric spoke to him," Paulin told me by phone. "He did say he had a long conversation with him. It would change the whole dynamic if he goes for it."
Libous, who currently serves as deputy minority leader, received an "A" rating from the NRA in 2008. Were he to sign on to the measure, it would pave the way for other upstate Democrats and Republicans.
Tina Ruocco, a spokesman for Libous, said "Senator Libous has asked a lot of questions about Senator Schneiderman's bill, but that doesn't mean he's considering it or supporting it."
