The controversy over whether the Westchester County Center should host gun shows is a separate issue from the licensing processes for gun owners, says the Village Administrator of Pleasantville. Patricia Dwyer was asked about a proposed ban on gun shows at the Westchester County Center.

“I wouldn’t be averse to the show, personally, but I am averse to the issues that give rise to the licensing of handguns,” said Dwyer. “People need to separate, like, what is really the issue here? It’s totally legal to buy a gun in this country. The question is, what are the qualifications for people to own these things?” she asked. “The show to me is a benign thing that demonstrates people’s rights to purchase stuff.”

Westchester County Executive Robert Astorino vetoed legislation in January that would have banned gun shows on county property.

State Senator George Latimer, Astorino’s Democratic challenger in next month’s election for County Executive, said he believes that it is insensitive for the county to host the gun show in wake of gun violence occurring across the country. Latimer held a press conference about the issue less than a week after a mass shooting in Las Vegas that left 58 people dead and close to 500 injured.

County Legislator Catherine Parker of Rye has called for a vote to override Astorino’s veto. There has been no confirmation that another gun show will take place, but the Astorino administration has said that it was open to having the group that hosted a show in January return to the County Center.