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Protect our Communities from Gun Violence
October 30, 2017 @ 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
VIGIL and RALLY
Monday, October 30, 5:30 PM
Westchester County Board of Legislators
148 Martine Avenue, White Plains, NY
Join the Vigil/Rally at 5:30 PM and Then Help Us
Pack the Chamber for the Vote at 7:00 PM!
What’s Going On? In January, Westchester County legislators voted by a narrow majority of 9-8 to ban gun shows at the Westchester County Center. But the bill was swiftly vetoed by County Executive Rob Astorino.
If 12 legislators vote now to ban the gun shows, the Board of Legislators can override Astorino’s veto, and prevent any future gun shows at the County Center or other County facilities.
Westchester County has a mission to promote public safety and public health, and should not be in the business of hosting and advertising for-profit gun shows. As many as 500 weapons — and thousands of rounds of ammunition — can be sold at a single gun show.
On October 1, 59 people were killed and over 500 people were wounded in a horrific mass shooting in Las Vegas, NV. The Las Vegas attacker used 12 legally-acquired semi-automatic assault weapons, modified with “bump stocks” to allow them to be fired as fully-automatic weapons. “Bump stocks” can currently be legally sold at gun shows in New York, and could be sold in White Plains if the County permits another gun show. Also, in the past, Nazi books and paraphernalia were offered for sale at the 2016 Gun and Knife Show at the County Center.
Westchester communities have experienced several tragic gun violence incidents over the last year, including:
- On December 24, 2016, O’Neil Bandoo, a nightclub owner in Mt. Vernon, was shot and killed by a disgruntled customer. Five other people were wounded.
- On New Year’s Eve, 13-year old basketball star Shamoya McKenzie was killed by a stray bullet in Mt. Vernon, while she was riding in a car with her mom.
- On August 25, a 56 year-old father named Stephen Dym killed his wife and daughter at their home in Pound Ridge, before taking his own life.
- On September 24, 16-year old Joseph Kuaffo was fatally shot in the chest at his home in Yonkers, by a 17-year old boy from the Bronx.
Your voice matters!! Please help us stop Westchester County from scheduling another commercial Gun Show at our County Center. Make sure the County Legislators who represent you know where you stand.
Consponsored by: Interfaith Clergy for Social Action, Prevent Gun Violence-Westchester, Westchester For Change, WESPAC Foundation (list in formation)
For more information, please contact:
Prevent Gun Violence-Westchester
www.PreventGunViolence.org
(914) 830-0639