NY Gov. Cuomo threatens to sue over proposed gun rights legislation

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo told reporters on Tuesday that he wouldn't hesitate to file a lawsuit if Congress passes a federal bill that would override New York's strict gun control law.

"If they try to overrule the state of New York, we will sue because this state has rights, too," Cuomo said during a stop in upstate New York. "And especially with this federal government, it is very important that states represent their rights and assert their rights and I will assert my rights to the fullest extent of the law."

The Second Amendment Guarantee Act, introduced to the House by Rep. Chris Collins (R-N.Y.) last week, would limit the authority of states and localities to pass legislation in relation to rifles and shotguns. It would not allow states to pass gun laws that are more restrictive than federal laws gun laws already in place, and would nullify any state laws that were previously passed on either subject.

"To the extent that a law of a State or political subdivision of a State, whether enacted before, on, or after the date of the enactment of this subsection, violates the preceding sentence, the law shall have no force or effect," the bill reads.

New York's SAFE act, signed into law by Cuomo in 2013, was passed in response to the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, and to date is one of the country's toughest gun laws. The measure included a broadened definition of assault weapons, and required background checks even for those purchasing ammunition.

A spokeswoman for Collins said his proposed legislation would simply give New York residents their constitutional rights back.

"Gov. Cuomo took away the constitutional rights of Americans when he signed the so-called SAFE Act into law,” said spokeswoman Sarah Minkel.

"If Gov. Cuomo wants to criticize Congressman Collins for sticking up for his constituents by protecting their Second Amendment rights, or for working to reduce their property taxes, he can answer to them in 2018," she added.

(h/t: The Daily Caller)