Bloomy in the Bronx Promoting "Drunk Guns" Law

The mayor, along with Bronx State Senator Jeff Klein, held a press conference in Morris Park this morning to announced the introduction of a state law that would make it illegal to carry guns while drunk.

The "drunk guns" law would work much like the state's drunk driving laws, which make it illegal to drive a vehicle if your blood-alcohol level is above .08 percent. A violation would be considered a class-A misdemeanor offense and punishments could include a year in jail and/or a $10,000 fine. It could also lead to the revocation of gun licenses.

“Guns and alcohol are a deadly mix,” said Senator Klein, in a statement sent out after the announcement. “The time is now for us to get serious about penalties for those who chose to carry a gun while intoxicated.”

“If you are too intoxicated to drive a car, you should not be carrying a gun,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “The law would apply the same standards and tests that are now used to prevent and punish driving while intoxicated. And that’s only right. I’m hopeful that our legislators and Governor Paterson will make New York the 21st state to enact such a life-saving, common-sense law.”

The law would not punish those who get drunk and carry their guns around their own home.

Bronx News Roundup, Dec. 14

Last night, members of the Glory Christ Church in Parkchester held a vigil to mourn the loss of their church, which was burned down by a satanic arsonist last Wednesday.

A father who once planned on building a center to promote leukemia research in Morris Park in honor of his son who died from the disease now owns an empty lot with little hope of building his dream center.

Today, Governor Paterson stated that he plans to cut $750 million from New York state public schools and local governments.

A report from a task force created by Governor Paterson found that juvenile justice system in New York is ineffective and harmful to youth. In one juvenile institution, a Bronx boy was killed and no criminal charges were filed.

The NYPD and Toys for Tots gave away toys to preschoolers on Friday at the New York Institute for Special Education in Bronxdale.

A judge dismissed the innocent William McCaffery from all charges in a case where he was accused of raping a woman in the Bronx. Recently, the alleged rape victim admitted that she had lied about the rape.

Bronx News Roundup, Nov. 10

As a bill comes before the state senate today to allow gay marriage, Senator Ruben Diaz, Sr., remains opposed to the issue, although as this NY Times's article points out, he has family and staffers who are gay.

Luxury condos in Riverdale could be a real bargain for buyers when they hit the auction block later this month.

From the Bronx to the top of the comedy world, the Daily News has a brief piece on a Morris Park native that recently won a nation-wide talent competition.

In an effort to improve safety on Pelham Parkway, the redesign of the thoroughfare will include the removal of around 90 trees.

With all the news surrounding the fire on Bainbridge Ave. last week, including our own article, the Daily News takes a look at how neighboring businesses are faring.

The Paradise Theater in Fordham will be hosting a food drive as part of its reopening.

As a symbol of rocky economic times, a restaurant on East 180th Street still sports a sign that advertises its roasted chicken when it actually hasn't been able to roast any poultry since its rotisserie machine broke over a year ago.

Mayoral Campaign Hits Bronx Streets: Bikers for Billy Roll Down Concourse; Bloomberg Heckled in Morris Park

This past Saturday afternoon, a group of Bronx bikers, mostly young people, worked the Grand Concourse for Democratic mayoral candidate Bill Thompson like it was their own personal campaign trail.

Yorman Nunez, a former City Council candidate in the 14th District who is now working on the Thompson campaign team, organized the outreach, calling it "Bikers for Billy."

The Thompson campaigners wore t-shirts emblazoned with the slogan "Eight is Enough," a dig at Mayor Bloomberg, who pushed an unpopular term-limits extension bill through the City Council last fall so he would be eligible for re-election.

Nunez said his bikers travelled south on the Grand Concourse, from Van Courtlandt Avenue (nearly Moholu Parkway) to 138th Street. In addition to wearing Thompson t-shirts and handing out campaign literature, the bikers chanted: "What do we want? Bill Thompson! When do we want him? Now!" and also, "Eight is Enough! Bastante Ya Con Bloomberg!" (literal english translation: "Enough with Bloomberg Already!")

Bronxites Mad at Bloomberg

Meanwhile, on Sunday afternoon, Bloomberg parachuted (not literally) into Morris Park for a brief march in the annual Columbus Day Parade. Thompson didn't make it.

Before the mayor jumped back into his black SUV, Bloomberg was heckled by about a dozen protesters (and one dog) upset with the city's opening (without community notification) of several new homeless shelters in the borough, according to reporter David Greene.

-Photos by David Greene

John Bonizio, of the Westchester Square Merchants Association, called Bloomberg a "traitor," adding, "His coming up to this middle class neighborhood to march in a parade for votes is disrespecting us, with what he's getting ready to do to this neighborhood."

Bloomberg walked with Bronx GOP head Jay Savino, just ahead of a crew of Bronx Democrats, including Councilman Joel Rivera, State Senator Jeff Klein, Assemblyman Michael Benadetto, Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., and State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli.