BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — A "mistake", that's what Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown is calling a recent incident involving a Common Council Member who's now being investigated for bringing a gun into a city school.
During an event on Wednesday, Mayor Brown said Common Council Member Ulysees Wingo took, "appropriate action" after realizing he had entered Riverside High School with a gun and ammunition, which he is licensed to carry. "We all forget things," said Brown, "lets face it, we're human beings." Brown went on to say he believes all parties involved took the appropriate steps once the incident was reported by Wingo himself.
According to legal expert Florina Altshiler, bringing a gun into a school is much more serious than just a "mistake".
"Having a conceal carry permit is not a defense to bringing that weapon inside of a school" Altshiler said.
According to Altshiler, Wingo could face between one and four years in jail for bringing a loaded weapon into a school as it is a Class E Felony.
Wingo, who is also Education Chair for the Buffalo Common Council, is now no longer permitted on any district property. He is also barred from attending any district-sponsored events without written permission from the superintendent. In addition, the administrator in charge of Riverside High School has been placed on administrative leave by the district.
With the exception of law enforcement, bringing a firearm onto school property is a violation of state law. At this point, no criminal charges have been filed.
