DA to dismiss felony charges against Jewish Republican NYC councilwoman caught on camera carrying gun at 'pro-Hamas rally'



The Brooklyn District Attorney's Office will dismiss felony gun charges against Jewish Republican New York City Councilwoman Inna Vernikov after she was caught on camera carrying a gun at what she called a "pro-Hamas rally" at a college campus last month.

What are the details?

Vernikov's gun was unloaded and “inoperable" — missing the “recoil spring assembly” that allows it to fire bullets — when the NYPD recovered it, the DA's office said Friday, according to the New York Post.

“In order to sustain this charge, it must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the weapon in question was capable of firing bullets,” Brooklyn DA spokesman Oren Yaniv said in a statement, the paper said. “Absent such proof, we have no choice but to dismiss these charges.”

Vernikov has a concealed carry permit, but the Post said it's illegal in New York state to carry a gun at sensitive locations such as protests or on school grounds.

What's the background?

Vernikov has spoken out against Palestinian supporters and attended an Oct. 12 rally on the campus of CUNY’s Brooklyn College, the paper reported in a previous story. Police sources told the Post that Vernikov was seen "with the butt-end of a firearm ... protruding from the front portion of her pants” during the protest between noon and 2:45 p.m.

Police were soon notified, WNBC reported, adding that the NYPD contacted Vernikov after she departed the rally. The sources added to the Post that Vernikov, accompanied by her attorney, turned herself in to police just before 3 a.m. Oct. 13.

Vernikov, 39, was arrested and charged with criminal possession of a firearm, the station said. Sources told the Post that she surrendered her gun and her firearm permit — and received a desk appearance ticket instead of going through processing.

“At no point in time was anyone menaced or injured as a result of her possessing the firearm at the earlier protest,” police sources also told the paper.

Vernikov shared on social media a video of herself at the rally:

— (@)

In the video, Vernikov called the rally "pro-Hamas" and said rally-goers are "nothing short of terrorists without the bombs." She also said she's there to help "Jewish students feel safe."

Vernikov’s felony charge is expected to be formally dismissed at her next court appearance on Jan. 24, the Post said.

NYC councilwoman had gun at pro-Palestinian rally: NYPD youtu.be

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The NYPD is taking guns that fire 'gel water beads' off of the streets



The New York City Police Department is taking "bead blasters" off of the streets.

The NYPD posted a tweet on Thursday which noted that the devices, which fire "gel water beads," may not be lawfully possessed.

"Bead Blasters shoot gel water beads that are propelled by a spring-loaded air pump, which makes them an air rifle. It is a VIOLATION to possess an air rifle in NYC under NYC Admin Code 10-131(b)(1) - Unlawful Possession of an Air Rifle. Violators will be issued a C-summons and the weaponwill be vouchered as arrest evidence," the post declared.

\u201cBead Blasters shoot gel water beads propelled by a spring-loaded air pump, making them an air rifle. Air rifles are a violation in NYC & are unlawful to possess. \n\nViolators found in possession of these will be issued a criminal summons & the weapon will be confiscated.\u201d
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPD NEWS) 1658443424

The NYPD issued a tweet on Friday that featured the pictures of several bead blasters that authorities had recently seized. "Yesterday, officers encountered individuals carrying these bead blasters. They were confiscated, and summonses were issued," the tweet noted.

\u201cYesterday, officers encountered individuals carrying these bead blasters. They were confiscated, and summonses were issued.\u201d
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPD NEWS) 1658515877

The 121st Precinct issued a tweet on Friday announcing that "[l]ast night, great work by our public safety officers whom removed an Orbeez gun off of our streets. These Bead Blasters shoot gel water beads propelled by a spring-loaded air pump, making them an air rifle. Air rifles are a violation in NYC & are unlawful to possess."

A tweet that the NYPD posted on Saturday showed several guns and noted, "All 3 of these guns were recently removed from NYC streets, and despite their looks, only 1 of them is real. The other 2 are bead blasters. Possession of bead blasters is unlawful and a violation in NYC. Another example of the NYPD's ongoing effort to keep our communities safe."

New York City continues to face serious crime problems. Crimes such as robbery, burglary, and grand larceny were substantially higher in June 2022 than in June 2021, according to crime statistics.

New York City councilwoman Vickie Paladino tweeted on Sunday, "I know that people elsewhere in the country may see this and think it’s ridiculous to confiscate a toy. But please try to understand the level of chaos in NYC right now. These toys are being used to harass and assault police officers and bystanders. The NYPD must reign this in."

"Believe me when I tell you, the NYPD would rather not have to even think about Orbeez. But sadly the blame is once again on our lax criminal justice system and weak progressive prosecutors and politicians who’ve cultivated this culture of lawlessness we’re now suffering through," Paladino declared in another tweet.

\u201cI know that people elsewhere in the country may see this and think it\u2019s ridiculous to confiscate a toy. But please try to understand the level of chaos in NYC right now. These toys are being used to harass and assault police officers and bystanders. The NYPD must reign this in.\u201d
— Councilwoman Vickie Paladino (@Councilwoman Vickie Paladino) 1658714541
\u201cBelieve me when I tell you, the NYPD would rather not have to even think about Orbeez. But sadly the blame is once again on our lax criminal justice system and weak progressive prosecutors and politicians who\u2019ve cultivated this culture of lawlessness we\u2019re now suffering through.\u201d
— Councilwoman Vickie Paladino (@Councilwoman Vickie Paladino) 1658714541