Gun-toting Republican Brooklyn lawmaker Inna Vernikov won’t face repercussions for bringing a firearm to a pro-Palestinian college rally — despite tough talk from progressive City Council members.
The council’s committee on standards and ethics unanimously agreed Tuesday not to pursue formal disciplinary action against Vernikov, who reps District 48 covering Brighton Beach, Homecrest, Sheepshead Bay and Manhattan Beach.
The committee instead issued a stern statement ripping the pro-Israel conservative councilwoman, who wore a .9mm pistol on her waistband while observing the protest at CUNY’s Brooklyn College in 2023.
Gun-wielding conservative Inna Vernikov was let off the hook Tuesday after the city council declined to pursue further investigation against her. Stephen Yang
“To date, she has failed to offer an apology to satisfy the majority of the members of this committee,” Democratic Council Member Sandra Ung, the committee chair, (Queens-District 20) read from the statement.
Other members of the committee, including progressives Crystal Hudson (Brooklyn-District 35) and Diana Ayala (Bronx-District 8), piled on with their own remarks.
“Council Member Vernikov’s conduct and her failure to take responsibility for that conduct are deeply troubling,” said Hudson, with Ayala agreeing.
Further disciplinary action by the committee could have led to Vernikov’s suspension or dismissal.
A spokesperson for City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams echoed the condemnation of the gun-loving council member.
“As Speaker Adams previously stated is unacceptable for a civilian to ever bring a firearm to a rally or protest and it is important for elected officials to model the behavior we expect of New Yorkers,” the rep said.
Vernikov hit back in her own statement, arguing she was exercising her Second Amendment rights.
The committee of standards and ethics issued a statement disavowing the pols actions when she brought a firearm to a CUNY rally. James Keivom
“Carrying a weapon into public assembly, especially an assembly which consists of masked supporters of ‘Globalize the Intifada,’ is not only appropriate, but is necessary,” she said.
“With the incoming [Mayor-elect Zohran] Mamdani admin, where criminals will be set free and law-abiding citizens punished, I urge law-abiding New Yorkers to exercise our Second Amendment rights,” she said.
Vernikov was arrested on Oct. 12th, 2023, and charged with criminal possession of a firearm at Brooklyn College.
The charges were later dropped, as investigators discovered the gun was purposely rendered unusable by a removed spring.