Charges Dropped for GOP Councilwoman Who Brought Gun to Pro-Israel Protest in New York

Brooklyn's district attorney has dropped firearms charges against Republican New York City councilwoman Inna Vernikov, who brought a legally owned but unloaded gun to a protest in support of Israel. Vernikov, who criticized pro-Palestinian demonstrators at the protest, voluntarily surrendered to the NYPD after images emerged showing the gun in her waistband. The charges were dropped because the gun was inoperable, as key components had been removed. While legally owned firearms are banned from certain locations in New York, including schools and protests, Vernikov did not hurt or menace anyone with the weapon.