Friday, October 4, 2019 Contact: Mayor’s Office
For immediate release Phone: 518 761-3805
City Officials Take Steps to Assure Safety During Busy Saturday Downtown
GLENS FALLS – With numerous events scheduled for downtown on Saturday that will likely draw a crowd of people to city center throughout the day, local officials are taking steps to assure that all citizens can enjoy the various activities in a safe and peaceful environment.
Cool Insuring Arena will host a gun show from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and an Adirondack Thunder hockey game at 7 p.m. A demonstration at Centennial Circle from 4 to 7 p.m. is expected to draw a variety of people, including some who may be carrying unloaded firearms as an expression of support for the gun show and for their Second Amendment right to bear arms.
Because of the timing of the demonstration, starting at the end of the gun show and continuing to the start of the hockey game, the general public may be concerned to see individuals with rifles rallying downtown. Local officials wish to assure the public that they are aware of the demonstrators’ intent to carry unloaded firearms and are prepared to assure the event remains peaceful. The Glens Falls Police Department will be monitoring events and is prepared to respond to keep the peace.
State law governing carrying firearms in public will be strictly enforced, Chief of Police Tony Lydon said. Specifically, state law prohibits the open carry of pistols, assault style weapons or any loaded rifle. The state law interprets “loaded” to mean that an individual carrying a firearm and who has ammunition for that firearm anywhere on his/her person, is carrying a loaded weapon. The ammunition needn’t be in the firearm for the firearm to be considered loaded.
Mayor Daniel Hall urges all those who find themselves downtown on Saturday to conduct themselves in a mature, peaceful and orderly manner.
“There’s a lot going on downtown Saturday and we want people to enjoy their visit to Glens Falls,” Mayor Hall said. “So let’s all strive to act in a mature manner and be respectful of other people’s viewpoints and other people’s right to express themselves.”
-END-