New York state laws could end historic reenactments

NEW YORK — Several historical reenactments in the Empire State have been canceled due to new firearms legislation that went into effect on September 1. The law prohibits carrying weapons in “sensitive locations,” which include public parks, museums, sports fields and most government land.

Though the law is part of new gun control efforts introduced to keep New York residents safe, reenactors are saying it will kill nearly all historic events – as the legislation makes no exception for black-powder muskets.

“All it would take is a citizen complaint and the whole thing will become a mess,” Terry Parker told The New York Post. Parker opted to cancel a Civil War reenactment event he planned for late last month in Allegany County in the wake of the new law.

It was far from the only such event to be scuttled. The Roger’s Island 18th Century Military Encampment and Battle Reenactment was canceled. These were annual events that had been going on for years. As a result, even some lawmakers have already been vocal that the new laws are going too far, and suggested this isn’t what was intended. In fact, organizers of the Battle of Plattsburgh reenactment only went forward after the local police said they’re wouldn’t arrest anyone carrying muskets.

“We stand here on the eve, actually on the start, of the Battle of Plattsburgh and we are threatened with not having our reenactors here because of the new concealed carry permit legislation,” explained State Assemblyman D. Billy Jones, a Democrat representing the 115th district.

The annual Battle of Plattsburgh commemoration attracts hundred of reenactors from New York, Canada and the Northeast. Cannons were fired this year, but muskets were reportedly prohibited from being discharged.

“The reenactors cannot do their reenactment in sensitive areas,” Jones added. “When they do their performances, when they march down the street, carrying their weapons that is considered a sensitive area under this law. And they are restricted from doing that under the law. So we stand here at the start of the Battle of Plattsburgh and now we’re going to have a Battle of Plattsburgh without the battle.”

Gov. Kathy Hochul had called lawmakers back to Albany in July to respond to the June Supreme Court decision that essentially overturned New York’s century-old limit on the carrying of concealed weapons. Instead, lawmakers designated “sensitive locations” where concealed carrying remains prohibited. The governor’s office has since stated that the law wasn’t about impacting these historic events.

In a statement to the media, the New York overnor’s office explained, “Governor Hochul passed new public safety laws to protect New Yorkers and keep them safe from gun violence. These laws allow historical re-enactments to occur, and we will work with legislators and local law enforcement to ensure these events can legally and safely proceed.”

Legal experts have contended that there is exemption out for such events, and as a result, it has seemed that more event organizers are opting to cancel rather than face the wrath of law enforcement. The general consensus is that future reenactments may allow non-functional firearms – which would certainly limit the ability to actually reenact historic battles.