By Rebecca Henely
City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside) introduced five resolutions calling for stricter gun control last week in response to two recent shootings in the Queensbridge Houses.
“This violence must end,” Van Bramer said in a statement.
The councilman made the announcement after an unidentified woman was shot in the leg Oct. 3 at Queensbridge. The incident closely followed one in late September when Amy, a 15-year-old girl living in one of the apartments at Queensbridge, was hit in the left hand by a stray bullet that came through her window while she was doing her homework.
Van Bramer held an anti-violence rally when she came home from Weill Cornell Hospital more than a week later.
“Her courage to stand up with us against gun violence in her community is an inspiration to the thousands of people in Queensbridge who also agree that the violence must end,” Van Bramer said.
The councilman’s five resolutions, if passed, would call upon the state Legislature to require a 10-day waiting period for all firearm purchases, limit gun purchases to one per month, require gun purchasers to take a safety course, restrict ammunition sales from being sold at establishments that do not sell firearms and require background checks for all firearm purchases, even private ones.
But Van Bramer said his fight against gun violence goes beyond calling upon the Legislature to impose more restrictions. He said he also put in requests for more resources, both for the 114th Precinct — which includes the Queensbridge, Ravenswood and Astoria houses — and Police Service Area 9, which covers most of the public housing projects in Queens.
Van Bramer also asked for additional policing and resources, specifically for Queensbridge.
“We can continue to build the relationship with the community that helps instill a better sense of security and ensures the welfare of thousands of residents that live in the Queensbridge Houses,” the councilman said.
Van Bramer also said he wants the Bloomberg administration to put more resources into community organizations that provide educational, cultural and recreational programs. He said he has funded many such initiatives at Queensbridge.
“These programs help keep our children engaged and provide constructive outlets for young people in an effort to develop positive paths to a successful future, ultimately reducing crime,” he said.
The councilman said he is also planning a gun buyback in the community with the NYPD and Bishop Mitchell Taylor’s Center of Hope International.
Reach reporter Rebecca Henely by e-mail at rhenely@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4564.
