Transcript: Mayor Eric Adams Calls in for Live Interview on 1010 WINS

August 31, 2022

Larry Mullins: And this afternoon with those new gun laws, which kick in tomorrow here in New York, there's been much talk about it, particularly a gun free Times Square. The big concern today still how to enforce it. They’re not talking about putting extra cops on the lookout, but using signs and other measures to warn people, "Hey, it's illegal to carry a gun down here," as well as other sensitive areas. New York Mayor Eric Adams joined Governor Hochul to talk about it, how it'll be policed, what are the penalties if you're caught, and how effective those much talked about signs will be in discouraging people from showing up packing heat. The mayor joining me live now on 1010 WINS to give us more. Good afternoon, Mr. Mayor.

Mayor Eric Adams: Good afternoon. How are you?

Mullins: I'm doing good. And hey, thanks for showing up last weekend at Harlem Week where they honored me. I appreciate it. Meant a lot, sir, for you to be there. I appreciate that.

Mayor Adams: So your voice is so well known and you have been keeping us updated for so long, it was great to have you honored.

Mullins: I appreciate that. Okay. To the business at hand now. We heard you say a few times today that it boggles your mind that you all would have to post these signs in the first place to tell people, "Hey, keep guns out of here." Explain that.

Mayor Adams: It's surreal. When you think about it, we have returned back to the future of what it was like during the Wild, Wild West. And that's not the city we want to live in or the country. I think the Supreme Court decision was misguided, but we have to police in that environment and that's what the NYPD is going to do.

Mullins: Mr. Mayor, are these signs really for New Yorkers though, or for people from other areas? Since many of the folks in Times Square are tourists from out of town, to remind them.

Mayor Adams: Any given day, we could have 475,000 people visit the Times Square area. We've had, thus far, a over 50% increase in requests for carry permits and gun permits in the city. And so many New Yorkers are now thinking about carrying guns and we want to make sure that people are educated on what areas you can carry guns, such as restricted areas, as well as those sensitive locations, which includes Times Square.

Mullins: Okay. So let's talk about somebody who claims they don't know. On what occasion would it be that somebody would be spotted with a gun unless they were carrying out a crime anyway? How do you detect the weapon? And will there be any metal detectors or checkpoints out there?

Mayor Adams: Well, we're going to pivot and shift based on the needs. But when you think about 24/7 screening, 475,000 people, some of them could be law enforcement personnel who is allowed to carry. It is not realistic to automatically state you're going to implement some type of metal detectors. We know this, which is clear, that if you go into a sensitive or a restricted location, it's a felony. It's a crime. And we're going to continue to monitor those illegal guns. That has not changed and will never change. But those who are allowed to carry, we're telling them, "Be familiar with the law." We're going to use PSA and other technology to educate the public.

Mullins: Okay. Devil's advocate. What about the person who shows up down there with a gun and says, "I live here. I have a permit to carry this gun. I'm entitled to carry it."

Mayor Adams: Yes, you are entitled to carry it according to the Supreme Court's decision. But what you can't do, you can't carry it in a sensitive location. And so we want to be clear to let people know that. And that's why we're doing this educational campaign as well as PSAs. September 1st, which is tomorrow, is the first day that this is going to take place and we need to be knowledgeable on the law.

Mullins: Final note. How long can we keep this up? The educational program, before we decide, "Okay, we're going to leave it alone. You know now. We put the signs out. We put the flashing signs out. You're on your own. Don't bring a gun down here or you could get up to four years."

Mayor Adams: As a famous rapper once said, "Now you know." That's our responsibility. We need to do everything from newspaper ads, PSA. The signs are bright signs where you really can't miss them. Those areas that have been designated as Times Square, we're going to continue to do everything from lighted announcements on trucks, flat beds. We're going to make sure the public is aware. And again, we need help from our media to also get the message out. There are sensitive locations and there are restricted locations that you can't carry a gun. And there's a complete list of that.

Mullins: Okay. Final note. And I promise you I'd stay on point, but I have to ask you. We're coming up on Halloween. Is Gracie Mansion still haunted, and can I come by?

Mayor Adams: I keep telling people there are ghosts in that house, but they're definitely from the spirit of Casper. They're friendly ghosts.

Mullins: Mayor, you know you're always welcome here, sir. I appreciate your time.

Mayor Adams: Thank you. Take care.

Mullins: All right.

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