Nyack rally to demand stronger federal action on gun control and sales
Robert BrumNYACK — A rally on Sunday afternoon will honor the lives cut short by gun violence and demand that the U.S. Senate reconvene to pass stronger background checks on all firearms sales.
The rally organized by New York chapters of Students and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America follows mass shootings in Dayton, Ohio, and El Paso, Texas. Both groups are affiliated with Everytown for Gun Safety, which is calling for "Recess Rallies" nationwide this weekend.
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One of the Nyack rally's organizers is Jadyn Turner of Students Demand Action's Rockland chapter. The Nyack High School student became involved in the issue after her cousin, Alyssa Alhadeff, was killed in the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, that claimed 17 lives.
"The first big thing that I did after she was killed was I spoke at the March For Our Lives here in Rockland County," Turner wrote in an email. "After speaking I started to get more and more involved with Students Demand Action (SDA). I have since been able to meet with many of our legislators speaking with them to pass common sense gun legislation."
She has been vocal in her support of New Jersey's Alyssa's Law, named for her cousin, which requires public schools to install silent panic alarms that can be activated in case of an active-shooter situation. New York state's version sponsored by Sen. David Carlucci will be re-introduced during the next legislative session.
Advocates want background checks expanded to include all firearm sales — not just those from licensed dealers — and an expansion of red flag laws that allow courts to temporarily take firearms away from people suspected of being a danger to the public or to themselves.
Under New York's Safe Act, the state already has universal background checks that include private sellers, unlike the federal law. Legislation extending the waiting period up to 30 days was recently signed into law. New York's red flag law took effect earlier this year.
Sunday's local program will include presentations by students, parents and elected officials, Turner said.
Nyack rally
- Who: Students and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America
- What: Rally to demand tighter background checks for firearms purchases and red flag laws
- When: 4 p.m. Sunday
- Where: Veterans Memorial Park, 15 Cedar St. (corner of Main Street)
Twitter: @Bee_bob