Statement on Gun Violence

Gun violence is shattering the safe haven of Nassau County. We are not immune to the rash of senseless gun violence that has infected our country.

While Wednesday’s tragic shooting in Garden City made the most headlines, we must also remember the many victims of gun violence. Over the last two weeks two people were shot down in Hempstead and New Cassel and many other victims, especially in our communities of color, are shot throughout the year.

But we must do more than remember. We must resolve to do all that we can to end the scourge of gun violence from our county.

I fully support and thank Governor Cuomo for his leadership in passing the SAFE Act earlier this year, but that alone is not enough.  We must recognize that in Washington a universal background check bill must become law. I commend Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy for her vigilant leadership on this issue and I support her effort to build a bipartisan coalition on behalf of background checks.

I also will work with Assemblywoman Michelle Schimmel to take additional steps in Albany and here on Long Island to lessen and one-day end senseless gun violence.

As County Executive I took the first steps to curb gun violence in this county. We instituted Nassau’s first gun buy-back program, installed ShotSpotter in high-risk areas, and created a Gunstoppers hotline for people to anonymously report illegal guns.

My opponent, Ed Mangano, enjoys the support of the Conservative party and has proudly stated that his administration is "in line" with the principals of the Tea Party, both of which continue to stand in the way and adamantly oppose common sense gun control legislation. I call on him to abandon his extreme opposition to gun control legislation and to join my stance supporting Carolyn McCarthy's legislation.

Protecting the safety of our residents is one of the most important jobs of the County Executive and I pledge that I will do everything in my power to once again make Nassau one of the safest places in America.  Our residents expect and deserve nothing less.

Tom Suozzi