BCW Joins Coalition Urging Federal Assault Weapons Ban

The Business Council of Westchester this week joined with a statewide coalition of regional chambers of commerce throughout New York led by the Buffalo Niagara Partnership and the Business Council of New York State calling on the federal government to reinstate a ban on assault weapons.

The united stand by business organizations follows the racist mass shooting at a Tops supermarket in Buffalo on May 14^th.  During the attack, the shooter used an AR-15 to kill 10 people and injure several others.  The same kind of weapon was used only weeks later in a Texas school shooting that left 19 students and two adults dead.

“The tragic, brutal, and senseless shootings that we have witnessed over the last two weeks must be a final wakeup call that new federal legislation has to be adopted to finally address the glaring holes in the criminal justice system,” said John Ravitz, Executive Vice President & COO, Business Council of Westchester during a virtual news conference held on Monday. “Real solutions are necessary to prevent the horrific tragedies that this country continues to face.  The Business Council of Westchester looks forward to working with our partners across the state to show a united voice within the business community to demand that changes that will work must be implemented now, so that innocent Americans do not have to go through the pain and suffering that too many families have had to endure.”

“Since the horrific Buffalo shooting just a few weeks ago similar tragedies continue to happen across the country,” said Heather Briccetti Esq., President & CEO, The Business Council of New York State. “When such acts of violence occur, the impact and suffering for extended families and entire communities linger. Unfortunately, these incidents and the anguish they leave behind are not unique to this state, which is why federal legislation would be an appropriate step in addressing this continuing crisis across America.”

“The massacre in Buffalo not only underscores the hate festering in some, but the irresponsible and needless access to weapons of war designed to kill as many people as possible as quickly as possible,” said Dottie Gallagher, President & CEO of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership speaking during a virtual press conference on Monday .  “As representatives of employers across New York, we have a responsibility to stand up and fight for policies to help keep our places of business, employees, customers, and communities safe.”

Other chambers of commerce joining the coalition calling for reauthorization of an assault weapons ban are the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce.