Sheriffs in New York state fault new gun law, seek to join suit

PHOTOGRAPHER: The Associated Press

County sheriffs have asked to join the federal lawsuit challenging New York’s tough new gun restrictions, calling some provisions vague and impossible to enforce fairly.

The New York State Sheriffs’ Association and five individual sheriffs are asking U.S. District Judge William Skretny to add their position to the record. They support gun rights advocates seeking to block enforcement of new bullet limits for magazines and the tighter definition of assault weapons.

The sheriffs agree with the New York affiliate of the National Rifle Association that the law, passed after the Newtown, Ct., school massacre, is unconstitutional because it will prevent citizens from keeping commonly used firearms for home defense.

The law bans magazines with a capacity of more than 10 bullets and generally prohibits loading them with more than seven.