‘After Nine’s Gun Ruling, N.Y.’s Gun Laws May Be Next’

“Mr. Feinblatt said that the licensing fee didn’t raise an issue. ‘Nobody who pays the fee likes to pay the fee, but there isn’t a constitutional right not to have a fee,’ he said” [New York, “After Nine’s Gun Ruling, N.Y.’s Gun Laws May Be Next,” June 19, 2008].

Mr. Feinblatt needs to work on his research skills. The Supreme Court has already ruled on fees imposed prior to exercise of a constitutional right.

That’s why they struck poll taxes decades ago. Onerous fees, such as New York City’s gun license fee, are undoubtedly unconstitutional.

Most of the 48 states that issue licenses to carry concealed firearms — to include the remainder of New York state — charge between $50 and $100 to conduct all the background checks necessary to ensure criminals don’t have legal access to firearms.

The sole purpose in New York City’s firearms license fee is to discourage people from lawfully acquiring firearms, just as the poll tax was intended to discourage minorities from exercising their right to vote.

JOE WALDRON

Legislative Director Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms

Pensacola, Fla.

‘In Defense Of Lobbyists’

While as a lobbyist, I appreciate the sentiment behind Michael Barone’s opinion piece and how it distinguishes lobbyists like myself — “socially responsible lobbyists” — from those who represent the rich and powerful — “special interest lobbyists” [Oped, “In Defense Of Lobbyists, June 16, 2008].

However, overall I found his analysis to be superficial and naïve.

Yes, Benjamin Franklin was a lobbyist, but his influence stemmed from the power of his ideas, not his checkbook.

In modern times, although some lobbyists, like myself, refuse to give money to elected officials either directly or indirectly, such as through “hosting” huge fundraisers, many do not.

Until the playing field is leveled by forcing all lobbyists to follow the same high standards of ethical behavior, any defense of lobbyists should be made on the individual, not collective level.

CHAD MARLOW

President

The Public Advocacy Group Brooklyn, N.Y.