Yates County Sportsmen’s Association forced to buy sign

Letter to the Editor The Sportsmen’s club has been located on State Route 54, just four miles south of Penn Yan since 1955. They have a long history with the people of Yates and surrounding counties, even with some folks who don’t live in New York but still choose to spend their summers in the Finger Lakes. In years past, they hosted turkey shoots and .22 silhouette events. Members of the Yates County Sheriff’s Office have done their firearm qualifications there in the past. The Penn Yan Police Department still does. All are welcome.

The Yates County Sportsmen’s mission statement says their purpose is to “Promote hunting, fishing, and shooting sports in Yates County.” It also reads, “The Association will oppose all anti- gun, anti-hunting, anti-fishing, or anti-trapping organizations.” But oppose doesn’t necessarily mean not comply with all of the laws the state can come up with. So, in their July meeting this year, the members of the club voted to purchase a new sign. It’s not a sign a gun club in any other state would imagine they would ever need. It is a sign to let everyone know that guns are, in fact, permitted on the premises.

The state legislature passed, and on July 1 2022, the Governor signed into law The Concealed Carry Improvement Act. Among other things, it amended Penal Law section 265.01-d to make it a class E felony for someone to possess, ‘a firearm, rifle, or shotgun and enter into or remain on or in private property’ unless the owners ‘by clear and conspicuous signage indicating that the carrying of firearms, rifles, or shotguns on their property is permitted.’ Most would think guns being permitted at a gun club was obvious. Not in New York. All private property was made a ‘restricted location’ with a stroke of the governor’s pen.

So a sign had to be purchased and posted conspicuously. The wording of the sign is left up to the property owner. This is how the sign also became a statement. In full compliance with the law but also pointing out the absurdity of the law. Large, green letters read, “NOTICE” then a black graphic showing the silhouette of different guns followed by more large green words, “GUNS ARE WELCOME ON PREMISES”. Then below, in smaller black letters, “WHAT KIND OF STATE MAKES A GUN CLUB POST A SIGN SAYING GUNS ARE PERMITTED AT A GUN CLUB?” and signed at the bottom, “YATES COUNTY SPORTSMEN’S ASSOCIATION.”

In compliance with the law but also pointing out the absurdity of the law.

Scott Backer Member of the Board of Directors, Yates County Sportsmen’s Association EDITOR’S NOTE: Letter writers are responsible for making sure the information they submit is accurate and factual.

Yates County Sportsmen’s Association forced to buy sign

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