WHITE PLAINS – New Westchester County Executive George Latimer has issued an executive order prohibiting gun shows from county property.
Latimer announced the ban at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, where many gun shows, and other events, have been held
His ban at the Westchester County Center in White Plains and any other county-owned facilities is a reversal of the policy allowing them instituted by former County Executive Robert Astorino.
Latimer said on Tuesday that gun shows do not represent the family values reflected in the other events held at the county facilities. The ban is not a restriction on gun shows in the entire county, but just on public land, he said.
“The County Center hosts basketball, Westchester Knicks play there in the developmental league, we have had the Harlem Globetrotters come in for performances, we have a bridal show coming up, we have a model train show that normally comes into the arena, we have job fairs and high school graduations and concerts, all very friendly family fare,” he said.
Latimer said gun shows have been controversial in light of the role of guns in society, he said. The county executive said while people have the right to own guns, “it promotes a culture that might be more appropriate in parts of New York State, but in our state suburban environment, I don’t think it is comfortable for most people.”
Latimer said he will propose that the county legislature codify the ban into law.
