Assemblymember Rhoda Jacobs Speaks out Against Gun Violence
Assemblymember Rhoda Jacobs joined Assemblymembers Michelle Schimel, Karim Camara, Brian Kavanagh, community activists and others this past Tuesday to take a stand against gun violence in New York City. The event in Crown Heights, Brooklyn took place in front of the Piece Out/Peace In gun prevention mural and drew legislators from across New York City. Those in attendance repeated a common theme: gun violence in our communities must be stopped and the gun lobbys influence on legislation must end.
Im standing here with Ed Powell, President of the 70th Precinct Community Council, [who] gets called in every time another tragedy happens, Jacobs started. We are confronted with a cynical response on the part of some legislators who are persuaded by the gun lobby, which lets face it, are merchants of death, Jacobs told the crowd.
Jacobs and her fellow lawmakers in attendance expressed their deep concern that a New York State Senate bill to create a stand your ground law in New York could become a reality because of the influence of the gun lobby in Albany. The bill would create a law similar to the controversial Florida law that has captured the countrys attention following the Trayvon Martin shooting.