Fate of gun show at Schenectady Armory in flux

SCHENECTADY — Two days after email invites were sent by the New Eastcoast Arms Collectors Association for a fall gun show in Schenectady, questions lingered about whether the event will happen.

David Petronis, president of the association and organizer of the show scheduled for Sept. 29 and 30, said all he needs to do is sign a contract and send in a deposit.

“We came up with that date without signing contracts because we hadn’t met in person,” Petronis said, referring to officials with the Schenectady Armory Center. That is the venue Petronis named in his invitation to association members.

Once he chose a date, Petronis said he wanted to begin promoting the show. But the people who own and schedule events for the Armory Center are not saying whether the show has been booked.

On Wednesday, Armory Center Co-Owner Ray Legere said he had been in talks with Petronis for the past two years about bringing the event to the Armory Center, but he said he didn’t know more and referred all questions about the event to Tom Petricca, general manager at Legere Restorations. Petricca did not return several calls seeking comment throughout the day Wednesday, but on Thursday, he sent a message referring all questions back to Legere.

Legere on Thursday said nothing has been finalized.

“We want to make sure all the logistics and everything else is in keeping with our community,” he said.

Petronis claimed Legere had “no clue” about his conversations with Petricca, the venue official with whom he said he had reached a “gentlemen’s agreement.”

When asked about the gun show Thursday, Mayor Gary McCarthy voiced doubts about the show’s future.

“I don’t think it’s happening,” he said in a text message. He did not make himself available for an interview about the show and refused to answer further questions.

The NEACA hosted a gun show at the Saratoga Springs City Center for more than three decades. The final gun show at that venue took place in May, after the City Council voted to ban the sale of guns and ammunition at the City Center.

It was a decision that came after a deadly school shooting in Parkland, Florida.

Legere said he was aware of the Saratoga Springs City Council’s decision, but he said that was irrelevant to him.

“Why should I be concerned about that?” Legere asked. “I’m a business owner that has events.”

The NEACA’s gun show has not been without other controversy.

Last year, it faced backlash after Petronis planned to display Adolf Hitler’s personal desk, along with other items, at the gun show in Saratoga Springs.

Petronis decided against that after Ryan McMahon, the City Center’s executive director, asked him to keep the display out of the show.

Petronis also faced criticism for posts to his blog, titled “Dave’s World,” which is featured on the NEACA website at www.neaca.com.

In one undated post titled “Politically Incorrect Views — Remember, this is MY PAGE,” Petronis shared his opinion on interracial relationships.

“I am not a racist,” he wrote. “I am practical. I can remember when someone would be lynched for being impractical. Not to condone that behavior, but the free wiliness today of interracial affairs is no better.”

Councilwoman Marion Porterfield on Thursday said because of the post, she doesn’t believe the gun show should occur at the Armory Center.

“Because I feel those comments reflect [Petronis] and the type of values he brings along with his business,” Porterfield said in a text message.

When asked about the blog post on Thursday, Petronis was candid.

“I can understand where some people may take offense to that,” he said.

He added that what he wrote was simply him sharing his opinion, but that he isn’t actively protesting interracial relationships. Even though he doesn’t approve of them, he doesn’t believe it should disqualify him from hosting the gun show in Schenectady.

“To me, it borders ridiculousness,” Petronis said. “I see no connection.”

Legere said he didn’t have any thoughts to share on Petronis’ blog posts. But when making decisions about hosting the gun show, he said he will have the community in mind.

“Obviously, I’ve been a good supporter of all good things in Schenectady,” Legere said. “Of course I’m going to take the community’s feelings into consideration.”

Petronis said he considers negotiations complete, and all he has to do is sign a contract.

“What they [owners of the Armory Center] have to do on their end, I have no idea,” he said.

Categories: News, Schenectady County