Walkway Over the Hudson: 4th Annual Walk for Gun Sense
In March 2016, a Poughkeepsie High School student, Caval Haylett, Jr. was gunned down after buying a slice of pizza by a bullet that wasn’t meant for him. It was an unfortunate event that some people think could have been prevented. On Saturday morning of Oct. 29, the 4th Annual Walk for Gun Sense was held on the Walkway Bridge in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
Before the walk began, the opening ceremony featured live music. Kids laughed and played, chasing each other around and waving signs saying “Smart Gun Laws Save Lives”. It was grey and chilly, but that didn’t stop these people for walking and supporting what they believe in.
The Walk for Gun Sense Run by the New Yorkers Against Gun Violence (NYAGV) and Moms Demand Action paired up with the Manhattan Chapter Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. Hundreds of people showed up to walk and support the cause. The walk over the Hudson became a tradition four years ago after the Sandy Hook Shootings. This was when Moms Demand Action was “fed up” with what was going on.
Dutchess County Coordinator of NYAGV, Sarah Kozloff, was welcoming all newcomers and helping to run the event. “We are really growing this year,” Kozloff said. “For the first time we have the Poughkeepsie group ‘Stop the Violence’ walking with us today. This is just a group of concerned Poughkeepsie citizens who have had enough with the gun violence, especially after the Caval Haylett incident. This year, we also reached out to a lot of colleges and we are excited to have some Vassar students as well.”
Kozloff expressed her reasoning for joining NYAGV. “I think it is all about safe storage,” Kozloff said. On September 2015, in Lake Placid, N.Y, a three year old shot her mother with a handgun. This was just one of the incidents that the United States Toddler Militia Confirmed Takedowns of 2015 reported. “Keep it locked in the house so children can’t get to it,” she said.
Kozloff explained how the NYAGV do not want to get rid of guns entirely, but just want safety for their families. “Peaceful Responsible Owners of Guns (PROGUN) is concerned about any laws restricting the Second Amendment,” she said. “It is a slippery slope, and we don’t want to take away anyone’s rights. To me, it is just about being sensible and smart, we want to lower the death toll and have fewer domestic violence incidents.” She explained that they just want “better” background checks and for people to be “smart” about how they store them.
Sarah Macklem, who was at the walk, was excited to share her views. “In this polarized climate, it is important to speak out against gun violence,” Macklem said. “It is important to start a conversation with gun owners about safer behavior and gun handling.”
Another participant was Judith Emilie. “I have six grandchildren and three great grandchildren,” Emilie said. “I couldn’t imagine what I would do if anything happened to them and I still can’t believe that after Sandy Hook nothing has been done. I just want my grandchildren and great grandchildren to be safe, and to not ever be put in a situation like that.”
A concerned grandfather, Michael Saporito, also participated in the walk. “I am concerned about senseless gun death,” Saporito said. “If my grandkids go to someone’s house, I want them to be secure.” If the family owns guns, he said, he wants to know that the guns are stored somewhere where kids cannot find them. He also wants more background checks for those who are mentally ill. “There is no need for people to own assault rifles,” he said. “I am in no means against guns; I am a hunter. I just want safety.”
