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Latimer Signs Bill Prohibiting Gun Shows On Westchester County Property

Westchester County Executive George Latimer signed into law a bill that prohibits the sale of guns on county property -- including the County Center in White Plains -- which held its last show in January 2017.

A gun enthusiast from the Bronx examines a rifle on sale during last January's final gun show at the Westchester County Center. Incoming County Executive George Latimer signed a bill banning gun shows on public property including the County Center.

A gun enthusiast from the Bronx examines a rifle on sale during last January's final gun show at the Westchester County Center. Incoming County Executive George Latimer signed a bill banning gun shows on public property including the County Center.

Photo Credit: Jon Craig

This bill, passed by the County Board of Legislators, also codifies the Executive Order signed last month by Latimer during the first week of his administration, as reported here by Daily Voice.

“Plain and simple, Westchester should not – and will not – profit off the sale of guns in our facilities,” Latimer said. “We just announced that the WNBA’s New York Liberty will call the County Center home, the NBA G-League’s Westchester Knicks have proven that this facility is a dynamic arena for live events throughout the year, and recently we held another successful Toy & Train Show. We can find much better uses of our property that can generate just as much revenue. This is the right step for Westchester County, and I applaud the Board of Legislators for turning my revocable Executive Order into law.”

Board Chairman Ben Boykin said, “It is so significant that County Executive George Latimer’s first Executive Order was to ban gun shows on county-owned property, and that the Board of Legislators first major piece of legislation in 2018 was to do the same. . . . This progressive legislation points to the strength, and the possibilities of a board and County Executive working in tandem for the people of Westchester.”

Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins said, “I first introduced this bill as a legislator after the previous County Executive re-opened the County Center to gun shows, unfortunately our attempts at making it law were thwarted by his veto.. . . . The County Center will once again be used for the family friendly events it was intended for.”

Legislator Virginia Perez, who lost her brother to gun violence, said, “This is a special and emotional day for me, when it comes to gun violence I personally know the pain that families go through. The passage of this bill is so important because we do not want to promote a culture of guns and gun violence in our county and in our county facilities."

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