Gun-Toting Council Member Called To Step Down After BK Protest

BROOKLYN, NY — Elected officials and community leaders called for City Council Member Inna Vernikov's expulsion or resignation from office Friday after she was arrested on a gun charge.

Vernikov was charged with criminal possession of a firearm after a gun was visible in her pants at a pro-Palestine rally at Brooklyn College, police said.

"I'm calling for her expulsion," said City Council Member Shahana Hanif, joining calls from the New York Working Families Party and Brooklyn Young Democrats. "This disgusting display of vigilantism and willingness to break the law is proof she is unfit to serve as an elected representative."

Vernikov will now face the city's Committee on Standards and Ethics, a committee she currently sits on, according to Speaker Adrienne Adams.

"I am referring this matter to the Standards and Ethics Committee, which may require the recusal of committee members," Adams said. "It is unacceptable and unlawful for a civilian to ever bring a firearm to a rally or protest, and especially important for elected officials to model a respect for the law that is expected of all New Yorkers."

Vernikov has been a loud advocate of Israel. The Brooklyn Council Member could be seen in photos and videos posted to social media with a handgun in the front of her pants at a rally just outside campus Thursday.

Vernikov turned herself in to the 70th Precinct, police said. Her firearm and permit license were surrendered to police, according to the NYPD.

The Brooklyn District Attorney told Patch the charge doesn't carry mandatory jail time — but if convicted as charged, Vernikov could face up to one year in jail.

"New York's gun safety laws apply to everyone," said Gov. Kathy Hochul in a tweet.

Vernikov's office did not respond to Patch's request for comment about the gun on Thursday.

The Brooklyn Council Member had not publicly addressed her arrest by Friday evening, but had made other statements to Twitter, including one thanking Mayor Eric Adams for his support of Israel.

Student organizers of Thursday's rally called for Vernikov's immediate resignation, calling her actions a "blatant act of incitement of violence against Palestinian, Arab and Muslim" students.

"We’re deeply disturbed by news that a sitting New York City Councilmember brought a firearm within close proximity of a college campus during a peaceful demonstration, in violation of the law," said Theo Oshiro, NYWFP State Officer, in a statement.

Public Advocate Jumaane Williams similarly denounced Vernikov's actions as a "tool of intimidation and seeming threat of violence" in a statement Friday.

"I am relieved that she has now been charged for this action and surrendered her permit," Williams said. "In this moment of tragedy and grief overseas and in our city, we must make room for one another’s grief and humanity, and provide space and support for people to cry out in their personal and cultural pain."

Vernikov's City Council challenger Amber Adler has also called for her expulsion from Council, calling Vernikov's actions "unhinged."

Vernikov posted videos to social media at Thursday's rally expressing her disapproval of the student organizers, and has previously been vocal about encouraging her constituents to apply for concealed carry licenses.

"This is a great time for Jewish communities to apply for a concealed carry license," Vernikov said in a tweet Monday.

Vernikov posted a photo with her newly obtained gun license in September.

Beyond Vernikov's arrest Friday, the NYPD said there were no reported incidents at Thursday's protest.