Council Member Pleads Not Guilty To Gun Charges After BK Rally

BROOKLYN, NY — City Council Member Inna Vernikov on Thursday pleaded not guilty to weapons charges after she brought a gun to a pro-Palestine protest outside a college campus, according to police and court records.

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. She turned herself into the 70th Precinct on Oct. 13, police said.

At her arraignment Thursday morning in Brooklyn Criminal Court, Vernikov was met with protesters donning Palestinian flags and chanting "Vernikov has got to go," videos posted to social media show.

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

Vernikov is due back in court on Jan. 24.

Videos posted to social media show Vernikov with a handgun visible in her pants at a pro-Palestine rally at Brooklyn College, police said. At the time of her arrest, Vernikov turned in her gun and permit license, according to the NYPD.

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.

Following her arrests, many politicians and locals have called for her resignation or expulsion from the council, including City Council Member Shahana Hanif, Brooklyn Young Democrats and the student organizers of the Brooklyn College rally.

Speaker Adrienne Adams in October said Vernikov would face the city's Committee on Standards and Ethics.

"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," Adams said.