Advocates rally state lawmakers to approve gun control measures
Gun control advocates and Sen. Todd Kaminsky (D-Long Beach) rallied Saturday to urge the State Senate to pass a package of gun control measures.
The State Legislature, backed by a newly Democratic-controlled Senate, are expected to vote Tuesday on a wish list of gun control bills, including a “red flag” law to remove guns from those deemed at-risk, banning “bump stocks,” prohibiting school staff from carrying guns and increasing background checks from three to 10 days.
Kaminsky has pushed for a bill banning teachers from carrying guns since last year when President Donald Trump suggested teachers should be armed in the wake of the Parkland, Florida, mass fatal shootings at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
“We have a chance this week to enact common sense gun measures to keep dangerous weapons out of the hands of dangerous people,” Kaminsky said, referring to the wider legislation.
He met with supporters Saturday at the Oceanside Library along with Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder and Linda Beigel Schulman, the mother of Stoneman Douglas teacher Scott Beigel, who was among 17 people killed at the Parkland high school last Valentine's Day.
“I’m tired of politicians that offer only thoughts and prayers. That won’t stop the killing of innocent lives,” Beigel Schulman said. “I will celebrate when the red flag law is enacted in New York. No matter how senseless or incomprehensible Scott’s murder was, it is now going to save lives.”
Beigel described how her son was shot six times in three seconds with an AR-15 assault rifle as he tried to shield his students in his classroom. She said her son never worried about reaching for a gun and instead focused on teaching and protecting his students.
State Sen. Todd Kaminsky as he proposed laws last March to ban school employees from carrying guns in schools. Credit: Howard Schnapp
Nassau County police said they were working to increase response times to schools and adding rapid response panic button apps to dispatch police during active shooter situations.
Ryder said police were focused on increasing security at schools with methods that did not include arming teachers.
“My job is to stay out of politics, but we have to take a stance. Our stance is for the safety of our children,” the Nassau police commissioner said. “We’re not for putting more guns in schools. We’re for fortifying schools and getting us there faster.”
John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.
Women hoping to become deacons ... Out East: Southold Fish Market ... Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV
Women hoping to become deacons ... Out East: Southold Fish Market ... Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV
