Five Steps
to Help Ban Gun Shows at Westchester County Center
JANUARY 24 PUBLIC HEARING
What's going on? Since October 2015, more than 4,500 people have signed a petition to ban gun shows at the Westchester County Center.
Despite this outpouring of public concern, County Executive Astorino has unfortunately decided to allow a new "Gun and Knife Show" to take place at the Westchester County Center on January 21-22, 2017.
In response, on January 9 the Westchester County Board of Legislators passed a bill to bill to ban all future gun shows on county-owned property, by a vote of 9-8. County Legislator Ken Jenkins (D-Yonkers) introduced this bill is 2010, and it's been considered in every session since that time.
Unforunately, it is widely expected that County Executive Astorino will veto this bill. In response, we are working to override the veto by persuading 3 additional legislators to vote for the Gun Show Ban (see below).
Now it's critical that we kick this campaign up a notch!Unforunately, it is widely expected that County Executive Astorino will veto this bill. In response, we are working to override the veto by persuading 3 additional legislators to vote for the Gun Show Ban (see below).
1. Please Sign the MoveOn Petition to Ban Gun Shows at the Westchester County Center, if you have not already done this.
2. E-Mail or Call Your Westchester County Legislator. Making personal contact with their office is critically important to encourage them to vote the right way. (See below for contact information)
3. Attend the January 24 Public Hearing, and Speak Out in Favor of the Gun Show Ban (see below).
3. Attend the January 24 Public Hearing, and Speak Out in Favor of the Gun Show Ban (see below).
4. Encourage Your Community, School or Religious Organization to Endorse the Gun Show Ban. Click here to fill our endorsement form, or e-mail your organization's endorsement and contact information to Chuck Bell at ReduceGunViolence [at] gmail.com We'll present the endorsements to the Westchester County Board of Legislators before the vote.
5. Share Your Personal Story About Gun Violence, by clicking here. Your personal experiences and stories help build the case for why the gun show ban is needed. We may call on you to help share your experiences with the news media and legislators
5. Share Your Personal Story About Gun Violence, by clicking here. Your personal experiences and stories help build the case for why the gun show ban is needed. We may call on you to help share your experiences with the news media and legislators
On Tuesday, January 24 at 7:00 PM, there will be a public hearing on the proposed Gun Show Ban legislation, and the Model Gun Show Procedures bill proposed by the Republican Caucus.
The hearing will take place at:
Westchester County Center Little Theater
198 Central Avenue
White Plains, NY 10606
The meeting will start at 7:00 PM, but people may sign up to speak, starting at 6:15 PM. Speakers may testify for up to 3 minutes, and/or submit a written statement.
Please RSVP to Prevent Gun Violence-Westchester, to let us know you're coming. We'll keep you posted on any new developments.
SPECIAL NOTE:
County Executive Astorino is expected to VETO the recently passed bill to ban gun shows at the Westchester County Center this week.
Unfortunately, this means that the January 21-22 Gun Show is expected to take place as originally scheduled, despite massive public opposition.
The veto will probably come on Thursday or Friday of this week.But we aren't giving up!! PLEASE URGE Republican legislators to join the majority of their colleagues to support the Gun Show Ban. We need to find at least 3 Republican Legislators who voted NO on the ban, to reconsider and vote YES. (Scroll down for the list of legislators to contact.)
Our primary message at the January 24 Public Hearing is the same. We support the Ban on Gun Shows at the County Center and on all county-owned property, and we want the Board of Legislators to ACT NOW to override Astorino's veto.
Our Message: "NO MORE GUN SHOWS AT WESTCHESTER COUNTY CENTER. Please vote to override the County Executive's Veto now."
Click here for Draft Talking Points for the hearing.
Next Tuesday's hearing provides an opportunity for citizens and residents to express their concerns about the continued scheduling of Gun Shows at the County Center. Unlike the January 9 hearing, in theory, there is no limit to the number of speakers, so everyone who attends can sign up and be heard.
In addition to speaking about the Gun Show Ban, speakers can address the proposed bill to adopt Model Gun Show Procedures for all future gun shows held in Westchester County, whether on public or private property. The Model Gun Show Procedures were developed by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, and so far more than 30 gun show promoters who hold gun shows in New York state and the Northeast have adopted them.
In addition, speakers may address other issues about gun violence in our commuities, and the County Board of Legislators' responsibility to address them. If you have a concern, please come to the hearing and share it.
WESTCHESTER COUNTY LEGISLATORS WHO
VOTED "NO" ON THE GUN SHOW BAN ON JANUARY 9
POLITELY URGE THEM TO RECONSIDER,
AND VOTE WITH THE MAJORITY
TO OVERRIDE THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE'S VETO!!
Click to Email)
District
Represents
Phone
John G. Testa
(Minority Leader)
1
Cortlandt, Peekskill, Yorktown
914-995-2828
2
Bedford, Lewisboro, Mount Kisco, North Salem, Pound Ridge, Somers
914-995-2810
3
Mount Pleasant, North Castle, Pleasantville
914-995-2847
6
Harrison, Port Chester, Rye Brook
914-995-2834
10
Eastchester, New Rochelle, Tuckahoe
914-995-2817
James Maisano
(Vice Chair)
11
New Rochelle, Pelham, Pelham Manor
914-995-2826
14
Yonkers, Mount Vernon
914-995-2815
Gordon A. Burrows
(Minority Whip)
15
Bronxville, Yonkers
914-995-2830
E-Mail County Executive Rob Astorino
Phone: (914) 995-2900
Please E-Mail and Call Your County Legislator to Support Legislation to Ban Gun Shows at the Westchester County Center
Click the links below to be transferred directly to your legislator's page.
If you don't know which county legislator represents you, click here and enter your street address.
Message (cut and paste):
Please pass legislation now to ban all Gun Shows at the Westchester County Center and all county property. As a Westchester County resident and taxpayer, I strongly oppose the use of our county-owned buildings and grounds to facilitate private sales of firearms.
Add your own comments!
The hearing will take place at:
Westchester County Center Little Theater
198 Central Avenue
White Plains, NY 10606
The meeting will start at 7:00 PM, but people may sign up to speak, starting at 6:15 PM. Speakers may testify for up to 3 minutes, and/or submit a written statement.
Please RSVP to Prevent Gun Violence-Westchester, to let us know you're coming. We'll keep you posted on any new developments.
SPECIAL NOTE:
County Executive Astorino is expected to VETO the recently passed bill to ban gun shows at the Westchester County Center this week.
Unfortunately, this means that the January 21-22 Gun Show is expected to take place as originally scheduled, despite massive public opposition.
The veto will probably come on Thursday or Friday of this week.But we aren't giving up!! PLEASE URGE Republican legislators to join the majority of their colleagues to support the Gun Show Ban. We need to find at least 3 Republican Legislators who voted NO on the ban, to reconsider and vote YES. (Scroll down for the list of legislators to contact.)
Our primary message at the January 24 Public Hearing is the same. We support the Ban on Gun Shows at the County Center and on all county-owned property, and we want the Board of Legislators to ACT NOW to override Astorino's veto.
Our Message: "NO MORE GUN SHOWS AT WESTCHESTER COUNTY CENTER. Please vote to override the County Executive's Veto now."
Click here for Draft Talking Points for the hearing.
Next Tuesday's hearing provides an opportunity for citizens and residents to express their concerns about the continued scheduling of Gun Shows at the County Center. Unlike the January 9 hearing, in theory, there is no limit to the number of speakers, so everyone who attends can sign up and be heard.
In addition to speaking about the Gun Show Ban, speakers can address the proposed bill to adopt Model Gun Show Procedures for all future gun shows held in Westchester County, whether on public or private property. The Model Gun Show Procedures were developed by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, and so far more than 30 gun show promoters who hold gun shows in New York state and the Northeast have adopted them.
In addition, speakers may address other issues about gun violence in our commuities, and the County Board of Legislators' responsibility to address them. If you have a concern, please come to the hearing and share it.
WESTCHESTER COUNTY LEGISLATORS WHO
VOTED "NO" ON THE GUN SHOW BAN ON JANUARY 9
POLITELY URGE THEM TO RECONSIDER,
AND VOTE WITH THE MAJORITY
AND VOTE WITH THE MAJORITY
TO OVERRIDE THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE'S VETO!!
Click to Email)
|
District
|
Represents
|
Phone
|
John G. Testa
(Minority Leader) |
1
|
Cortlandt, Peekskill, Yorktown
|
914-995-2828
|
2
|
Bedford, Lewisboro, Mount Kisco, North Salem, Pound Ridge, Somers
|
914-995-2810
| |
3
|
Mount Pleasant, North Castle, Pleasantville
|
914-995-2847
| |
6
|
Harrison, Port Chester, Rye Brook
|
914-995-2834
| |
10
|
Eastchester, New Rochelle, Tuckahoe
|
914-995-2817
| |
James Maisano
(Vice Chair) |
11
|
New Rochelle, Pelham, Pelham Manor
|
914-995-2826
|
14
|
Yonkers, Mount Vernon
|
914-995-2815
| |
Gordon A. Burrows
(Minority Whip) |
15
|
Bronxville, Yonkers
|
914-995-2830
|
E-Mail County Executive Rob Astorino
Phone: (914) 995-2900
Phone: (914) 995-2900
Please E-Mail and Call Your County Legislator to Support Legislation to Ban Gun Shows at the Westchester County Center
Click the links below to be transferred directly to your legislator's page.
If you don't know which county legislator represents you, click here and enter your street address.
Message (cut and paste):
Please pass legislation now to ban all Gun Shows at the Westchester County Center and all county property. As a Westchester County resident and taxpayer, I strongly oppose the use of our county-owned buildings and grounds to facilitate private sales of firearms.
Please pass legislation now to ban all Gun Shows at the Westchester County Center and all county property. As a Westchester County resident and taxpayer, I strongly oppose the use of our county-owned buildings and grounds to facilitate private sales of firearms.
Add your own comments!
