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Malverne Police Chief John Aresta discusses his support for increased gun-control legislation.
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Talking a lot about gun control in this program -- -- next guest has seen the horrors of gun violence firsthand.
His uncle shot and killed during that highly publicized mass shooting in 1993 with -- long on and a railroad shooting.
John arrest is with us John as the police chief of -- in New York.
And he is the chief of police that and he supports -- control chief -- program.
Good morning thank you do you support gun control because -- -- possible involvement and the impact on you from that mass shooting.
Our -- supported polls personally and professionally.
So as a police chief -- support gun control yes and as as.
A victim -- -- component like that all of the mass shooting it's harder.
Would governor Cuomo's new measures.
Made -- -- late last night would they have stopped the Long Island shooting.
It's very possible.
That missed the first -- -- -- picked up on the mental health issue the homicide and that's Colin Ferguson right -- that -- confidence that the dissidents he was that the man who -- probably seven people -- -- yes okay.
What -- I believe he was mentally unstable to sort of release was enough tourists yes it was all you -- the governor Cuomo's measures on the privacy of health professionals.
Have they you've reported him to the authorities might stop it.
It may have nothing's guaranteed but it certainly would have been a step in the right direction there were certain indicators.
He he was expelled from.
I believe Adelphi University.
For his -- He was.
Disciplined at -- community college.
My guess for his beliefs and the logical thinking is if he had been.
Given -- mental health mental -- had.
Official -- had to report found that may have stopped or put -- red flag up.
-- comment on the views he used a semiautomatic handgun would that have been banned.
On the governor Cuomo's new rules leave the magazine clip that he used it would have been it would have been bad this which tracks was second and told you as a police chief.
That's why -- you in favor of gun control as a police chief.
My son my guys out there every day.
To to protect them and serve the people of my village and the state -- New York.
We we don't see your reason -- personals are reason why anybody would need authority Iran clip -- -- round clip.
Four assault rifle.
Members of my department are are hunters are members of the RE.
And in talking to them asking -- -- the west China -- -- you know went hunting with and they are fifteen.
-- them for and that the answer -- really nobody does.
The only reason to have a big magazine -- as a measure of self defense.
I don't know -- -- either in or around where you've called the police the police have responded to help you.
I don't know when its arms and in my neighborhood -- around where -- called police because we're broke into the house and they've had actually defend their homes.
But the far off.
Mar village where -- your house and under a minute if you call us.
Surrounding communities the same thing one to two to three minutes.
But I -- -- -- -- I don't see your reason why -- -- defend your home like that when the police are readily available I want bring Charles buy into this you -- angle to go.
Well yeah because I do I think that it doesn't the debate on the opportunity here is is totally misplaced because although we're talk amount gruesome ugly.
Things like mass shootings that -- overwhelm all overall majority of this gun violence is relative really just you know some kid getting off of a bus with the wrong -- on he gets murdered in his neighborhood.
And I think we're gonna miss an opportunity to really address the source of that this anger -- this violence.
By pinning it all on NRA and assault rifles and don't you don't you think as as a law enforcement officer that's what we should really be trying to get to.
Were -- overwhelming majority of these victims who they are where they are because all this stuff the president's presenting today will not help them.
I -- What it's it's a start.
Which start somewhere I mean I believe there's there's over a million assault rifles authority in in New York State.
Tom had a look what -- been -- -- twenty years ago we would have a million.
-- this is not something's gonna put a band it's gonna fix us for for tomorrow.
-- but hopefully the next generation.
-- us deal with the amount of assault rifles and and weapons of mass destruction.
I think that I have become Charles -- -- gang related violence these seeing an increase in deaths from these.
Hi magazine clips personally in in my location what we do not see it.
-- however.
Two miles away.
We do see where there -- drug -- shootings and you you have -- really letting go with the third round clip.
And spraying houses.
Spring cars and you do of people adult court -- in the -- like that.
Police chief John.
And appropriate minimum essential -- you we appreciate you being with us and we like people will -- like he appointed you and thanks very much for your march -- -- --
