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NEW YORK — New York Metropolis Councilwoman Inna Vernikov has been charged after brazenly carrying a firearm at a protest Thursday in Brooklyn.
The Metropolis Council is now investigating her actions.
As college students gathered outdoors Brooklyn School Thursday for dueling protests, pro-Palestinians on one facet and pro-Israelis on the opposite, Vernikov made her stance clear.
“I am right here at present to assist the Jewish college students which can be at school at present,” she stated.
Hours later, the Republican councilmember from southern Brooklyn was arrested for bringing a handgun to the rally, tucked in her waistband.
“I felt actual unsafe as a result of I did not know what she was going to do,” Christopher Johnson stated. He was on the rally.
Whereas Vernikov is a licensed gun proprietor, she was given a desk look ticket for legal possession of a firearm, since brazenly carrying one shouldn’t be allowed in New York Metropolis.
“I feel that was extra intimidation. I feel she was making an attempt to indicate off to the Palestinians, attempt to scare them,” Johnson stated.
The Metropolis Council speaker is now referring the matter to the Requirements and Ethics Committee, which Vernikov serves on, and will require her recusal.
Although nobody on the rally was injured, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams known as Vernikov’s actions “a harmful dereliction of our obligation as elected officers.”
“New York’s gun security legal guidelines apply to everybody,” Gov. Kathy Hochul posted on social media.
“Nobody is above the legislation,” a spokesperson for Mayor Eric Adams added.
A few of Vernikov’s constituents are defending her.
“Possibly she felt she must have some methods to guard herself,” Sheepshead Bay resident Vadim Gringas stated.
“Clearly she feels her security and folks surrounding her may be a precedence. If she’s licensed to have it, I do not see any drawback with it,” Sheepshead Bay resident Ralph Czeisler stated.
Nobody answered at Vernikov’s district workplace Friday, and her cellphone went to voicemail.
Police stated when Vernikov turned herself in, she needed to give up her 9mm gun and allow license.
Thus far, Vernikov has not responded to our a number of requests for remark.
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