TODAY: Supporting NY Safe Act 5:45PM

Today, faith leaders from various denominations, gun victim advocates, youth organizations, healthcare workers, labor unions, and elected officials will hold a press conference and rally in support of the NY SAFE Act. The rally will be held at Martin Luther King Park, near the King statue at 5:45pm.

The NY SAFE Act, signed into law by Governor Cuomo in January, is designed to reduce the number of mass shootings that have plagued our nation on an almost weekly basis, such as the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School, in which 20 children were killed. The NY SAFE Act is a reasonable approach to reducing the senseless gun violence that devastates families in New York’s urban centers.

Since the passage of the law numerous county legislatures and big gun companies have been calling for The NY SAFE Act to be repealed. "Big gun companies don’t represent me,” said Amy Wallace, village of Kenmore resident and founder of the local chapter of Moms Demand Action.

The rally will feature organizations and community leaders who represent thousands of everyday citizens across Western New York who support the law. There will also be a question and answer period regarding the provisions of the law.

“This law doesn’t take away rights nor does it take guns from legal gun owners,” said Rev. Greg Nelson, President of the Buffalo/Niagara chapter of the National Action Network. “Involving the public in this discussion will help inform our community about what the law really does and stop the misinformation and outright lies about The NY SAFE Act.”

"Every day we turn on the TV and there is another senseless loss of life due to gun violence,” said Pastor James Giles, executive director of Back to Basics, a non-profit, non-violence advocacy organization. “Finally, we have a solution. We have been on the streets trying to combat illegal gun activity for too long and we can’t do it alone. I commend the Governor for doing what is right to help to prevent the loss of innocent lives.”