By Christina Santucci
An Elmira man was arrested and charged with harassing U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Astoria) over her support of proposed gun control legislation, police and the congresswoman said.
Ronald Buchanan, 39, was nabbed Wednesday by the NYPD and charged with two counts of aggravated harassment and one count of harassment in the first degree, which includes stalking and menacing, a spokesman for the police said.
In response to the arrest, Maloney released a statement Friday, praising law enforcement officials.
“For me, one of the most deeply disturbing aspects of this episode has been the fact that this individual threatened my life over my support for gun control. Despite the setback in the Senate this week, despite the threats, and despite the grotesque mischaracterizations of what the gun bills contained, the forces of reason will carry on,” she said in the statement.
“All of us who hope to see common sense legislation enacted must be resolute and persevere in our efforts to address the plague of gun violence in America. My resolve is, if anything, even stronger after these threats.”
Maloney’s office said the threats were related to her support of the Firearm Risk Protection Act, which would have required gun owners to maintain liability insurance.
Reach editor Christina Santucci by e-mail at timesledgerphotos@gmail.com or by phone at 718-260-4589.
