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Groups Rally In White Plains Against Gun Violence

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. – A local law enforcement organization joined MoveOn.org to hold a vigil for nonviolence and gun control Sunday in White Plains to honor the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

MoveOn.org and members of the Westchester chapter of Blacks in Law Enforcement of America rallied Sunday in White Plains for nonviolence and gun control.

MoveOn.org and members of the Westchester chapter of Blacks in Law Enforcement of America rallied Sunday in White Plains for nonviolence and gun control.

 Photo Credit: Courtesy of Network for Police Accountability
A vigil for nonviolence Sunday at the Westchester County Courthouse in White Plains honored the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

A vigil for nonviolence Sunday at the Westchester County Courthouse in White Plains honored the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

 Photo Credit: Courtesy of Network for Police Accountability
Advocates of gun control called last week's enactment of stricter gun regulations in New York a positive step.

Advocates of gun control called last week's enactment of stricter gun regulations in New York a positive step.

 Photo Credit: Courtesy of Network for Police Accountability
A vigil for nonviolence and gun control was held Sunday in front of the statute of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Westchester County Courthouse in White Plains.

A vigil for nonviolence and gun control was held Sunday in front of the statute of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Westchester County Courthouse in White Plains.

 Photo Credit: Courtesy of Network for Police Accountability
by Brian Donnelly

Damon Jones of the Westchester chapter of Blacks in Law Enforcement of America called the gun control bill that Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed into law Jan. 15 an important first step in preventing future tragedies and getting illegal guns off the streets.

“It’s just the beginning, but we think the more we continue to bring attention to the situation, hopefully the lawmakers will continue to pass new laws and make stricter penalties for those who break the laws,” Jones told a group of about 25 people in front of the King statue outside the Westchester County Courthouse.

The bill, passed by the state Senate Jan. 14 and the Assembly Jan. 15, expands New York's assault weapons ban by further limiting how many military-style features can be included on semiautomatic pistols, rifles and shotguns. It also limits ammunition magazines to holding seven rounds, down from the previous 10 rounds.

Additionally, the law tightens restrictions on pistol licensing by requiring, among other thing, that pistol licenses be renewed every five years. Previously, Westchester County required licenses to be renewed every five years but other counties did not.

The state has posted information to help gun owners comply with the new law.

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