BY JEFF CHUDZINSKI 

North Country This Week

WEST POTSDAM — While the West Potsdam Volunteer Fire Department has been forced to cancel the department’s fall gun show due to new gun control regulations, the Syracuse gun show is still slated to move forward.

Why can the Syracuse show continue on, while being held at the New York State Fairgrounds that are owned by the state, but West Potsdam was forced to cancel?

That’s what the department would like to know as well.

After repeated calls to state officials in Albany, local and county officials, the St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office and Rochester Attorneys General office, the West Potsdam Fire Department is no closer to an answer.

In a report from NewsChannel 9 in Syracuse, officials with the governor’s office attempted to provide clarification for potential gun show organizers.

“Governor Hochul led the fight to pass new laws that protect public safety and address gun violence. The new gun safety law allows gun shows to occur, and organizations hosting these events should work with property owners and vendors to ensure they can legally and safely proceed,” the statement reads.

Officials in West Potsdam say the fairgrounds are state property and under the law are likely to be interpreted as a “sensitive space”.

It is unclear what distinction is made that will allow the Syracuse show to go on, while West Potsdam’s venue is still listed as a “sensitive space.”

Under the new laws, which were passed during an “extraordinary session” in July, an extensive list of “sensitive spaces” was established, outlawing firearms of any kind in a number of places, including the vast majority of government properties.

Other areas where firearms are restricted include public transit, airports, government buildings, healthcare facilities, places of worship, libraries, playgrounds, public parks, zoos, childcare facilities, the buildings or grounds of educational institutions, summer camps, developmental disability treatment locations, addiction and mental health facilities, facilities for disability assistance, homeless and domestic violence shelters,  any location with a liquor license or license for on-premises cannabis consumption, performing arts venues, stadiums and racetracks, museums, amusement parks, banquet halls, polling places, public sidewalks or areas restricted from general use for a permitted event, any protest or gathering, and Times Square.

Officials with the fire department say that the cancellation of both shows this year has likely cost the department over $10,000. Funds from the two shows are used most often to pay for equipment needs, vehicle repairs, training and other expenses incurred by the department.

Officials decided to cancel the spring show following the murder of SUNY Potsdam student Elizabeth Howell out of respect for Howell’s family and the local community.