Democracy may be bursting out all over the world, but there’s little evidence of it in the New York State Assembly. Speaker Sheldon Silver has been blocking important gun-trafficking legislation by saying that he’s studying it, thus avoiding a floor vote. For the past two years, he’s been using that tactic to stall a bill that Governor Pataki proposed that would add teeth to existing anti-gun trafficking laws. Shame on you, Mr. Speaker.

Governor Pataki paid a visit to Staten Island yesterday and held a press conference with the Staten Island district attorney, Daniel Donovan, to urge immediate passage of two critical crime-fighting bills. It was also the anniversary of the brutal slayings of two undercover police officers, Rodney Andrews and James Nemorin. Mr. Donovan opened the session acknowledging the sacrifices of the two officers. He reminded us that his predecessor announced his intention to ask for the death penalty for Ronell Wilson, the accused cop-killer, and that when he assumed office in January of last year he committed to follow that course. That option was taken away from his office by the state Court of Appeals, which ruled the state’s death penalty law as invalid.

Mr. Silver used this opportunity to debate whether the death penalty should be reinstated at all. But, Mr. Donovan says, the court only struck down a single provision of the law that has since been rewritten and passed the state Senate on Wednesday by a vote of 37-22. He urged the Assembly majority to vote for passage of the bill.

Mr. Pataki cited the statistics that make New York one of the safest big cities in the nation. But, he said, it is vitally important that we change the laws that will help keep the criminals behind bars. “Our laws are so weak right now that one can sell illegal guns on the street and still get out on probation.”

According to Mr. Pataki, police officers can stop a car and find 19 illegal guns in the trunk, and the offender can be charged with only a Class A misdemeanor. “That is absurd,” the governor said. One of the laws he has submitted to rectify this absurdity passed the State Senate 60-0, but Mr. Silver has been studying it since 2003. Not even the NRA would find fault with this law, so why won’t Mr. Silver let the Assembly vote on it?

The death penalty has always been a thorny issue in this state, and its critics have always concluded that it is not a deterrent. Borough president James Molinaro begs to disagree. He cited the tragic case of the family slain in New Jersey during a robbery because the youngest daughter recognized one of the robbers. Mr. Molinaro said the men cold-bloodedly slew the family because there is no death penalty in New Jersey.

Recently, the Supreme Court declared that the death penalty could not be applied to minors. Do these justices realize how many minors have access to illegal guns and now have been given a free pass to murder without having to face death row? Aspiring actress Nicole DuFresne was slain by a group of teenagers, remember? Where did they get that gun, Mr. Silver?

I’m not a fan of the death penalty, but I can understand that in certain cases this may be the only way to prevent criminals from targeting the law enforcers who keep us safe. We are not a fascist state but one that recognizes that just laws are what separate a society from anarchists. Consider the tragedy that has befallen Britain with its socialist society, which keeps weapons away from the law-abiding citizens and even its police force. Crime has naturally skyrocketed out of control.

Herbert Buckland, 84, committed suicide after being robbed for the third time, according to published reports. He was a prisoner in his home after being robbed twice last year. After coming face-to-face with the burglars for the third time, he had had enough. He called his family and told them that the world was no longer a place he wanted to live in.

New York has been blessed by having men and women willing to face the day-to-day battle against criminals. They need legislation with an enforceable backbone. Whether you agree with these bills or not, Mr. Speaker, our elected representatives should have the right to cast their votes. That’s how democracy works.