countycenterJan. 20, 2016 - Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino today announced that he has vetoed legislation passed by the county legislature that would have banned gun shows on any county property. The county legislature passed the legislation in a 9-8 vote on Jan. 9, 2017.

In his veto message sent down to the legislature today, Astorino said, “the gun show satisfies all the requirements for its legal and safe operation” and “has historically been one of the best run and most well-attended events held at the (County Center).” Astorino said he respected the “wide-range of opinion(s)” on the gun show, but is balancing the “divergent views of its citizens by using facts and the law, as opposed to emotion.” He added that the gun show at the County Center has been held for decades “without incident.”

Read the full copy of the veto message.

The gun show returns to the County Center this Saturday (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Sunday (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.). Thousands are expected to attend over the course of the weekend. The safety and security rules and protocols at the show are among the strictest in the nation.