Mayor Michael Bloomberg wasted no time in offering newly appointed Kirsten Gillibrand a backhanded welcome to the U.S. Senate.
"Our Administration has worked well with her and her staff on a number of issues, including watershed protection," read Bloomberg's official release, before dispensing with the pro forma pleasantries.
“However, I have a strong disagreement with one area of her record as a member of Congress: illegal guns. She has actively opposed the efforts of New York City, and cities around the state and nation, to enact commonsense measures that keep illegal guns out of the hands of criminals. For instance, she has voted to keep critical data needed to track illegal gun traffickers from law enforcement, has voted to tie the hands of the ATF, and has also voted to protect dealers who sell guns illegally."
Bloomberg is one of the nation's staunchest anti-gun politicians, having gone as far as trying to sue gun makers for knowingly flooding illicit, underground markets with their weapons, an effort that was ultimately shot down by a federal appeals court in April 2008.
Gillibrand's voting record on gun control issues was sufficient to earn her a top rating from the National Rifle Association.
U.S. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, who wasn't among the 10 to 20 people Paterson said applied for the Senate appointment, criticized the pick even before it was official. McCarthy, whose husband was killed by a gunman on the Long Island Railroad, said Gillibrand's support of more conservative issues such as gun ownership rights was out of step with most New York Democrats.
Gillibrand acknowledged McCarthy's concerns during her press conference, noting that her former colleague had "provided outstanding leadership in fighting against gun violence and keeping our children safe. I pledge to work with her on her signature bill for updating background checks to keep guns out of the hands of criminals."
