Bellmore-Merrick Democratic Club demands stricter gun laws

The Bellmore-Merrick Democratic Club took a strong stance against gun violence at a rally on June 2, National Gun Violence Awareness Day. At the Merrick Long Island Rail Road Station, marchers gathered to protest what they consider lax gun laws, and to demand action from government officials who have the power to enforce change at the national level.

“We’re here for some basic messages,” Dave Denenberg, a former Nassau County legislator, said. “We’re worried about the future, and we’re worried about our kids’ future.”

According to a flyer distributed by the club, there have been 377 school shootings in the United States since the one in Columbine, Colorado, in 1999. The country with the second highest total is Mexico, with eight. Guns killed some 48,000 Americans last year, and on average, 400,000 guns are stolen from gun owners every year.

As of May 8, there have been 203 mass shootings in U.S. this year alone.

“The Bellmore-Merrick Democratic Club and residents of the 4th Congressional District call upon Congressman (Anthony) D’Esposito to write sensible gun legislation that protects our children and allows law enforcement to keep weapons of war off our streets,” the flyer read.

In a statement to the Herald, a spokesman from D’Esposito’s office said, “Congressman D’Esposito has spent his career combating gun crime as both an NYPD detective where he worked to remove illegal firearms from the streets, and as a member of Congress where he continues to advocate for enhanced law enforcement collaboration between federal, state, and local agencies to tackle gun crime.”

D’Esposito’s office also shared a letter with the Herald that the congressman sent to Steven Dettelbach, the director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Washington, in which D’Esposito asked the ATF to devote more resources to Long Island to combat gun smuggling. The letter stated that last year, two people from Georgia were arrested for trafficking more than 25 guns into Nassau County.

“Gun trafficking into Long Island is detrimental to our communities and we do everything in our power to ensure that local law enforcement agencies are empowered with the resources and tools they need to keep our communities safe,” D’Esposito wrote. “… I am asking that you enhance your collaboration with local law enforcement agencies to assist with investigations and combat gun trafficking.”

Protesters marched along Sunrise Highway, displaying signs to hundreds of commuters that read “Ban assault weapons” and “I can’t believe I have to make a sign pleading to value lives over guns.”

Denenberg said that what the club is advocating for is universal background checks and a ban on assault weapons.

Mike Reid, former chief of staff for former State Sen. John Brooks, has had a long career as a volunteer firefighter and paramedic in New York City. “I’ve seen what gun violence does firsthand,” Reid said at the rally. “When we talk about having boots on the ground and having a real-time knowledge, I’m the person who’s actually seen what guns do to people.”

Reid, a Democrat, is currently running for receiver of taxes for the Town of Hempstead.

“We’re all about gun safety — we’re all about common-sense gun laws,” Reid said. “This is not about taking anybody’s Second Amendment rights away. This is not about taking everybody’s guns away. This is making sure that if you own a gun, that you use it responsibly. If you own a gun, it should be a gun that you can use in a responsible manner.”

Speaking of weapons such as semiautomatic AR-15-style rifles, which have gained infamy because of their use in high-profile mass shootings, Reid said that they don’t belong in homes.

“Those are weapons of war,” he said. “They were designed to kill people. We do not need weapons of war in our communities.”

Democratic Club President Claudia Borecky emphasized the seriousness of gun violence. “Gun violence is the number one cause of death of children and teens in this country,” she said. “More so than car accidents, more so than cancer.”

Denenberg said that police officers don’t want to be in the middle of active shooter situations, facing deadly weapons. “I’ve never met a police officer that doesn’t want assault weapons off the street,” he said. “Why do they have to run into buildings and worry about assault weapons or semiautomatic weapons? It’s ridiculous. Let’s get them off the street.”

“Nassau County is probably the safest suburban community in the world,” Reid said. “We have a wonderful police department — they do a great job. I’ve worked side by side with these men my entire life.

“But we have a problem out there — the problem can be solved,” he added. “But we’re not going to solve the problem without folks like you doing what you’re doing today, standing up, speaking for yourselves — speaking for your rights, and making sure that we have safe communities. Keep up on the good fight.”