Charges Dropped Against NYC Councilwoman Who Brought Unloaded Gun to Protest

Inna Vernikov, who attended a pro-Palestinian protest as a counterprotester, faced no charges as the gun was inoperable and unloaded.

Brooklyn's district attorney has dropped firearms charges against Republican New York City councilwoman Inna Vernikov, who brought an unloaded and inoperable gun to a pro-Palestinian protest at Brooklyn College.
Vernikov, who has a concealed carry permit, voluntarily surrendered to the NYPD after images emerged showing a gun in her waistband.
Under New York law, the gun would have had to be capable of firing bullets for Vernikov to have broken the law, but it was not loaded and key components had been removed.
Vernikov attended the protest to oppose pro-Palestinian demonstrators and to make sure Jewish students 'feel safe.'
Vernikov, who represents Brighton Beach and Sheepshead Bay in southern Brooklyn, was overwhelmingly re-elected to a second term in November.