Thread: DMV chief: Illegal immigrants could buy guns with licenses

DMV chief: Illegal immigrants could buy guns with licenses
BY JOE MAHONEY
DAILY NEWS ALBANY BUREAU CHIEF
Thursday, November 1st 2007, 4:00 AM
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ALBANY - Motor Vehicles Commissioner David Swarts added yet another confusing twist to the hot-button issue of driver's licenses for illegal immigrants Wednesday, suggesting the licenses could be used to buy guns.

Sources in Gov. Spitzer's office insisted Swarts was wrong but gave no immediate explanation for his comments.

Swarts appeared to give Spitzer critics new ammunition at a Senate panel hearing on the governor's plan to let illegal immigrants get driver's licenses.

When state Senate Homeland Security Committee Chairman Vincent Leibell (R-Brewster) asked flatly if the licenses could be used to buy guns, Swarts appeared to have been caught off-guard. He started to answer, stopped, then said, "Yeah, I guess it proves who they are." But Spitzer's office explained that potential gun buyers must complete a form that calls for a valid Social Security number or Citizenship and Immigration Services number.

If the numbers aren't provided - or are bogus - dealers are supposed to kill the sale and notify authorities immediately.

This new controversy arose as more than 30 Assembly Republicans declared they have no choice but to haul Spitzer into court. The lawsuit, set to be filed today in Albany Supreme Court, accuses Spitzer and Swarts of ramrodding through the new policy in an "arbitrary and capricious manner."

"Someone needs to remind this guy he was elected governor - not emperor," said Assemblyman Tom Kirwan (R-Newburgh), a former state trooper who branded the new license rules "unlawful and dangerous."

Spitzer last week agreed to delay giving illegal immigrants licenses until late next year, though he continued to insist yesterday his plan will ultimately make New York "more secure." As for the GOP lawsuit, Spitzer spokeswoman Jennifer Givner said: "We remain confident the policy change will be upheld in court."

The new suit adds to the legal thicket faced by Spitzer. Rensselaer County Clerk Frank Merola has already filed his ownbrief to block licenses for illegal immigrants. A Washington advocacy group, Judicial Watch, also sued Spitzer yesterday, charging he overstepped his authority.

The governor's latest proposal for three types of licenses was endorsed by the Hispanic Federation. The group noted its objections to the federal Real ID plan that Spitzer accepted, but said undocumented immigrants were better off driving legally than having no license.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2007/11 ... y_g-1.html

This is insane, let illegal aliens buy guns?

Spitzer last week agreed to delay giving illegal immigrants licenses until late next year, though he continued to insist yesterday his plan will ultimately make New York "more secure." As for the GOP lawsuit, Spitzer spokeswoman Jennifer Givner said: "We remain confident the policy change will be upheld in court."

That's because in his tiny mind Hillary will be president by then and it will be smooth sailing.

The new suit adds to the legal thicket faced by Spitzer. Rensselaer County Clerk Frank Merola has already filed his ownbrief to block licenses for illegal immigrants. A Washington advocacy group, Judicial Watch, also sued Spitzer yesterday, charging he overstepped his authority.

Nice to see a pile on from our side for a change.

Originally Posted by zeezil

"Someone needs to remind this guy he was elected governor - not emperor,"

Well, then, someone needs to remind amBush that he was elected President, not King of the Universe.

In all honesty, not to stir up a fight, but illegals are already getting weapons on the black market, sometimes weapons that can't even be purchased legally. I would much rather have them with registered weapons than ones bought out of someone's trunk.

But then again, I suppose the ones who truly are using the guns for criminal acts would just continue to buy them on the street anyway.

Do you think many illegals would actually use this to legally purchase a gun?

Do you think many illegals would actually use this to legally purchase a gun?

Illegal aliens are criminal opportunists. They will do anything they want and avail themselves to any service or scheme regardless if it is within the law or not. By there very presence of being here illegally..any action they take is ILLEGAL.

Guns For Illegal Aliens?
New Yorkers Shocked By DMV Chief’s Proclamation That Illegal Aliens Could Use New IDs to Purchase Guns


http://readme.readmedia.com/news/show/G ... iens/14795



ALBANY, NY (11/01/2007; 1453)(readMedia)-- New York Republican State Committee Chairman Joseph N. Mondello today addressed new concerns about Governor Spitzer’s plan to give driver’s licenses to illegal aliens, specifically as it relates to illegal aliens using the state issued identification to purchase guns.

Opposition to the Governor’s plan continued to grow following yesterday’s Senate hearing into the viability of the plan, where Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner (DMV) David Swarts indicated that illegal aliens could use the driver’s license to purchase firearms.

“The idea that the Governor’s DMV Commissioner would publicly state that illegal aliens will be able to utilize state-issued driver’s licenses to purchase firearms is absolutely inconceivable,â€