Politics & Government

Rockland Politicos to 'Condemn' Gun Map

Legislator Frank Sparaco and others will gather Friday to disavow The Journal News' interactive map of gun owners in Westchester and Rockland.

In a press release sent out late Wednesday afternoon, Rockland lawmakers announced they will join the growing ranks of public servants and Lower Hudson Valley residents angered by the recent publication of a map pinpointing local gun owners.

The Journal News published an interactive map on LoHud.com Dec. 22 of all legally-licenced gun owners in Westchester and Rockland counties. The decision—one the newspaper continues to support—drew ire from a legion of readers and interest across the nation.

Sen. Greg Ball (R-Putnam/Westchester) assailed the map, and has vowed to prevent a similar map to chart Putnam—even if his efforts are illegal.

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Now, politicos west of the Hudson are echoing sentiments akin to Sen. Ball's.

"Rockland County Legislator Frank Sparaco will announce a resolution to condemn the decision by The Journal News to post the names and addresses of lawful pistol permit holders in Rockland and Westchester Counties," the release reads.

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Sparaco will be joined by Legislators Jay Hood, Jr., Aron Wieder, Toney Earl and Christopher Carey at the Friday confence. It is slated for 10:30 a.m. at the Rockland County Legislature Chambers at 11 New Hempstead Rd.

The map—and the ruckus surrounding it—sprung up shortly after the tragic shooting in Sandy Hook, Connecticut, which left dozens dead inside an elementary school, including several young children.

The Friday conference will also tackle a slate of other gun-related issues, like confidentiality for pistol permit applications, officials said. Lawmakers will also suggest a program that would freely distribute firearm cable safety locks to all legal gun owners in the area.

The conference will draw bipartisan support; the release notes Rockland County
Clerk Paul Piperato,  Rockland County Sheriff Louis Falco,  Kristen
Stavisky, the Chairwoman of the Rockland Co. Democratic Party and Vincent
Reda, Chairman of the Rockland Co. Republican Party will all be present.


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