A local Second Amendment advocacy group is standing behind Buffalo Common Councilmember Ulysees Wingo after he brought a gun into a school last month.
- Councilman banned from school property for 18 months after bringing loaded gun into school
- District attorney’s office not charging him
- Second Amendment group offers to file suit against Buffalo Public Schools
Steve Felano with 2AWNY says Wingo has been unfairly punished by being subjected to an 18-month ban from school property, and he's ready to file suit against Buffalo Public Schools.
"What I'm looking for out of this, and I think what most Second Amendment advocates are looking for, is for this school board to stop this childish behavior of unduly punishing Mr. Wingo and the school principal," Felano said.
Erie County District Attorney John Flynn declined to bring charges against Wingo, but said the councilman did commit a crime.
Buffalo Teachers Federation President Phil Rumore says the punishment by the school district is appropriate, and that any reduction or revocation of the ban would be special treatment.
"If a student came into a school with a loaded weapon, they'd be suspended for a year on home instruction. You know, you can feel sympathy, but on the other hand, what's the message that goes out to the kids and the rest of the community?" Rumore said.
Felano says Rumore's example is an apples to oranges comparison.
"We're not talking about an untrained, unauthorized student here. We're talking about a duly licensed, legally permissible concealed carry permit holder with a lawfully-owned firearm coming on the premises," Felano said.
Felano says 2AWNY would not likely file suit without Wingo's cooperation, saying it's difficult to have standing in court without an aggrieved party.
Wingo told Spectrum News that no one from the group has contacted him, and he is unaware of their past work.
Felano says he has left Wingo several messages.
He adds he'll watch whether the Buffalo Public School Board strikes down Wingo's 18-month banishment at its meeting on June 19.
"If not, the offer to bring this suit forward stands, we'll once again approach Mr. Wingo and the school principal on this, and see where they want to take it," Felano said.
Wingo has also asked Superintendent Kriner Cash to allow him to attend his son's high school graduation.
He says he has still not received a reply.