SAUGERTIES — Recent mass shootings in Buffalo and Uvalde, Texas, have prompted organizers of a long-running annual gun show in Saugerties to cancel the event this year.
The New EastCoast Arms Collector Associates has been holding an annual show at the Kiwanis Ice Arena in Saugerties.
The gun show, which was to have been held June 18 and June 19, was called off by mutual agreement between the Town of Saugerties and the promoter of the show, Saugerties Police Chief Joseph Sinagra said Friday.
“Taking into consideration the recent events of gun violence, both here in New York, and the tragic event in Texas, to continue with this gun show would have been irresponsible and insensitive to all those who recently lost loved ones,” New EastCoast Arms Collector Associates President David Petronis said Friday.
The decision was made after Petronis met with Saugerties Town Supervisor Fred Costello on Thursday morning, Sinagra said.
“Although this recent carnage was perpetrated by what appears to be deranged individuals who stood behind these weapons and carried out these killings, I agree with Fred and the chief of police that this may not be the best of times to hold our NEACA Gun Show in Saugerties, especially while our nation is still healing from these tragic events.”
Ten people were slain in a mass shooting at a Tops Supermarket in Buffalo and 21 people including 19 children and two teachers were killed at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.
Costello applauded Petronis on his decision to cancel the gun show.
“This speaks volumes to the integrity of Mr. Petronis and demonstrates his solemn respect to the families of those who have lost loved ones to the recent gun violence here in New York and Texas.”
“Mr. Petronis has been conducting gun shows here in Saugerties for many years and has always cooperated with the town, providing safe and friendly events,” Costello said.
The event was scheduled to take place over Father’s Day weekend. It was scheduled to run from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday, and from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Sunday.
Both Petronis and Costello agreed that timing is everything, and the timing of a gun show at this particular moment would not be appropriate, Sinagra said.
“I personally have been contacted by various citizens of this fine village of Saugerties about their concerns of holding our gun show here on Father’s Day weekend,” Petronis said. “Even with my very staunch support of our Second Amendment rights and knowing we have the right to pursue our contract with the town to hold our show, at this moment in time I feel canceling and possibly rescheduling our show to a later time period or other venue, is the right thing to do.
“Making money isn’t everything, and this is the responsible thing for us as a show promoter to do,’ he said.