Desmond and several other New York sheriffs have come out against the
SAFE Act
that was signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo in January. The
New York State Sheriffs' Association
has joined a lawsuit challenging the gun-control law filed by the
New York State Rifle and Pistol Association
and supported by the National Rifle Association.
Several New York sheriffs said the law's assault weapons ban is too broad and will take away hunting rifles from law-abiding citizens. Sheriffs opposing the law are also against reducing pistol magazine capacity from 10 to seven.
In July, Gov. Cuomo signed an exemption that would allow retired law enforcement officers to keep higher capacity magazines and so-called assault weapons they acquired while on the force, reports the
New York Daily News
.