Editor’s Note: This letter to the editor was published in Yonkers Rising on November 1, and was alluded to in Westchester Rising on November 15 in ‘Election Recap’ story.
In your Oct. 4 issue of Yonkers Rising, on page one you feature the above article, which only presents 15th Legislative challenger Ruth Walter’s campaign sloganeering, complete with smears directed at incumbent Gordon Burrows, as well as negative statements made against the Westchester County Firearm Owners Association.
Journalistic tradition, as well as fairness, would dictate having both of the parties who were targets of the derogatory comments to also be interviewed and allowed to rebut or clarify Ms. Walter’s unsubstantiated charges. This was not done, as WCFOA was not contacted in the interest of balanced reporting. As a result we feel that this letter is necessary in order to do what you did not do: allow redress. The following are some of Walter’s statements followed by WCFOA’s rebuttal.
RMG: “As a Legislator, Walter said she will work to implement a ‘Red Flag mandatory notification’ policy so that anyone who is a victim…is given information about the law and how to petition the courts to remove guns.”
WCFOA: Any police involvement, and that would include all victims, already provides the steps to take to seek court-mandated action against the alleged offender. This statement is superfluous and is not of any use except for sloganeering. “Red Flag” laws, when improperly written, can raise serious issues of due process and other civil and legal rights. Furthermore, Walter’s proposal for “mandatory notification” in Westchester would preempt state law, which would create a conflict.
RMG: “No community is immune to the threat of gun violence, and we can do more here in Westchester at the county level. We can’t afford leaders who refuse to take action or who are emboldened by the National Rifle Association. Unlike my opponent, I will never accept support from the Westchester County Firearm Owners Association. I am committed to taking action to keep our county safe.
WCFOA: Refusing to take action and refusing to enact bad laws are two different things. No “leaders” are “emboldened by the NRA.” WCFOA would never consider supporting candidates like Walter whose “plans” are just political bombast, and lack any specific or practical actions.
The Westchester County Firearm Owners Association is not affiliated with, nor is it beholden to the NRA. In fact, WCFOA consists of, and always has consisted of, local citizens of Westchester who support their constitutionally-guaranteed right to lawfully own firearms. No one dictates to WCFOA as to policy. WCFOA is a grassroots organization, formed to oppose the civil rights infringements and attempted restrictions of the lawful commerce and lawful ownership and use of firearms. Nothing in Walter’s “plan” has or will affect the criminal or illegal use of firearms by criminals and deranged individuals.
RMG: “Burrows accepted the endorsement of (WCFOA) in his elections in 2013 and 2015. (An) NRA-like organization that opposes common-sense gun laws, including opposing banning gun shows at the county-owned Convention Center even though such shows included neo-Nazi and Confederate paraphernalia. Burrows voted against banning gun shows at the Westchester County Center in 2017 and 2018.”
WCFOA: Legislator Burrows had the moral high ground in the battle to ban gun shows in the center. The “gun show,” which had been held at the center for decades, was a lawful event, showing lawful products and attended by citizens exercising their right to engage in lawful commerce. The singling out of one specific segment of the populace for selective persecution is nothing but naked discrimination based on nothing but personal prejudice. Any candidate who espouses discrimination and prejudice has no place in the legislative system.
As for the “neo-Nazi and Confederate paraphernalia.” the last gun show in 2018 attracted attention when photos purported to show these items. Then-Legislator David Gelfarb, and several others including Democrats, scoured the show and “found no such material.” In fact, the photos were analyzed by experts and found to have been taken at other events at other locations. And “neo-Nazi” is another fabrication of Walter’s.
Most of any past items that might have been shown were historic documents about the Nazi and Confederate era. These clearly would fall under the protection of the First Amendment. Is Walter supporting the violation of more of the Bill Of Rights, or a book-burning policy?
Ironically, erroneously and unfairly banning the “gun shows” from the center has the unexpected consequence of making the community less safe. The Westchester County Center, when hosting the prior “gun shows,” was a 100 percent secure venue. Limited and monitored access, extensive video surveillance, on- and off-duty law enforcement from local, county, state and federal agencies made nearly impossible the occurrence of illegal or improper activity. Banning the shows at the center means that any future shows will have to be held in a private venue, which will not be able to match the level of security provided by the center. This type of mentality shows Walter’s lack of knowledge and brings into question everything else that she thinks is a “solution” to any problem.
Legislator Gordon Burrows deserves praise, not condemnation. He has shown the experience and conviction to stand fast for legality and fairness, while those such as Ruth Walters seem enamored with politically correct sloganeering, supporting regressive, unfair, discriminatory and possibly illegal proposals that are not a plan, but a crass appeal to ignorance. Walter’s proposals, if applied against any other group of lawful citizens instead of gun owners, would be roundly condemned and shunned, as Walter should be in this case.
Walter has no “plan.” The New York SAFE Act already prohibits “assault weapons,” high-capacity magazines, various other rifles and shotguns and private sales between individuals; mandates “safe storage;” and prohibits mail-order sales of ammunition. What is there left to do?
Walter’s main focus appears to be the persecution of citizens who have done nothing improper or illegal. Her agenda wastes valuable time and effort that would be much better spent pursuing those who actually are criminals. She is not a viable candidate for office.
J. Scott Sommavilla
President Westchester County Firearm owners association
