Astorino Vetoes Gun-Show Ban at County-Owned Property

WHITE PLAINS, NY — Westchester County Executive Robert Astorino vetoed a law passed by the legislature that would have banned gun shows on county property.

In his veto message, Astorino said the gun show has satisfied all requirements for legally and safely operating.

It “has historically been one of the best run and most well-attended events held” at the County Center, he said.

The gun show will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

The county legislature passed the bill in a 9-8 vote Jan. 9. It is unlikely that there are enough votes to override the veto.

Board of Legislature Chairman Michael Kaplowitz, a Democrat, said he was disappointed that the bill was vetoed.

“The preference to not use the County Center to sell guns was expressed by a majority of the Legislators and thousands of Westchester residents, who signed a petition opposing the gun show,” he said.

Kaplowitz said he was leaving the option of overriding the veto on the table for the remainder of the Legislative term “in hopes that a sufficient number of my colleagues will choose to join the majority who voted to ban the gun shows and override the county executive’s veto.”

He said he will also be voting in favor of a Republican-crafted compromise that would require all gun show operators at any site — public or private — in Westchester County to adhere to guidelines established by the state attorney general.

Majority Leader Catherine Borgia, D-Ossining, said the ban would have been a good first step in stemming the proliferation of guns in Westchester.

“I encourage all Westchester County resident to make their voice hear and call for an override vote of this veto,” she said.

Patch file photo.