Westchester bans gun shows on county-owned property

NEW YORK (FOX5NY.COM) - The new Westchester County executive is making good on a campaign promise. George Latimer, a Democrat, signed an executive order banning the sale of guns on Westchester County property. That includes at the Westchester County Center.

"The action that I am committing today commits Westchester County government to not hold the gun shows here... over the next four years," Latimer said.

Last year, thousands of people showed up for a gun and knife show at the Westchester County Center. Then-County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican, allowed the gun show to be held there. This year's event has been canceled because of Latimer's order.

The move does not ban gun shows on private property in Westchester County.

The issue of holding gun shows on county-owned property has historically been a divisive and partisan issue often depending on public sentiment at the time. A planned gun show in 2013 was canceled after the 2012 Sandy Hook massacre.

But Michael Timlin, the owner of RT Smoke and Gun Shop in Mount Vernon, said gun owners are being unfairly singled out.

The executive order will last as long as the new Westchester County executive holds onto his seat.

But the debate about whether it is the right move sending the right message not ending anytime soon.