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Gun show may return to Westchester County Center

Administration says no contract or commitment is in place.

Mark Lungariello
Rockland/Westchester Journal News

WHITE PLAINS – There may be another gun show coming to the Westchester County Center.

Long lines of people queue up to get inside the Firearm and Knife show at the Westchester County Center in January 2017.

The organizers of a popular but controversial show held early this year are listing tentative dates for another show in January 2018, although the county administration said there’s no contract or commitment yet.

“The Sportsmen Show has been a well-run and well-attended event at the County Center and we’d consider having it back in 2018 if an agreement can be reached on terms and a date,” said Dan Branda, a spokesman for County Executive Rob Astorino.

Westchester Collectors Inc., on a website calendar, listed Jan. 20-21 as tentative dates for the next show in White Plains.

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Calls to the group’s general phone number and to its president weren’t returned. Jerry McKinstry, another spokesman for Astorino, said there had been contact with the organizers but no dates agreed upon. The discussions weren’t categorized as “negotiations."

The last gun show

The group’s knife and firearm show this year, the first at the center since 2012, drew roughly 7,500 to the County Center, according to the administration. Despite the enthusiasm, it reignited a push to ban shows on any county-owned property, including the center.

A bill banning gun shows passed the legislature with all nine Democrats voting in favor, but it was swiftly vetoed by Astorino, who is a Republican. Astorino said the show was for lawful sale of guns and that there was no basis for a ban.

Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino

Following the show, photos circulated showing Confederate flags and books on Nazis being sold by a vendor. The photos, which Democrats said were taken by a legislative aide, led to board Republicans proposing language to county contracts that prohibited the sale of objectionable clothing, flags or books.

If that’s adopted as policy, organizers for other trade shows, such as a reptile show, would have to adhere to the same policy.

The push quieted down for a new contract policy. Also in limbo is a counter-proposal by Republicans that wouldn't ban gun shows but issue guidelines for shows on both public and private property.

Neither proposal has been discussed since the days following the gun show in January. Astorino and all 17 legislators are up for election this year.

Westchester County Legislator Michael Kaplowitz a press conference announcing a voluntary program for Uber and Lyft drivers to participate in a enhanced background check beyond what the companies already have in place on Jun. 27, 2017.  The fingerprint check will cost drivers $90 and their names will be entered in a database that will be shared with employers.

Mike Kaplowitz, a Democrat and chairman of the Board of Legislators, said a discussion about gun access "is a critical one to have."

"I and the majority of my legislative colleagues are opposed to holding shows at the County Center," he said. "After November there may be a new administration and a new legislature and we might have a chance to revisit this issue."

Twitter: @marklungariello