By Mike Caputo
On Monday, McCarthy addressed members of the local media in a roundtable discussion, tackling issues on both the national and local spectrums. While addressing the wide-ranging topics such as the funding of troops, healthcare and education, McCarthy stopped to emphasize what she suggested is one of her main objectives as Congresswoman.
"Everything I do, are things that are actually happening in my district," said McCarthy. "When I fight for something it's because I am seeing it here. In Nassau County, in my area - you hear about it you read about it, you see it. It's all of Long Island."
In light of April's fatal shootings at Virginia Tech, McCarthy cited prevention as the best solution for achieving safety and security at schools on both a national and a local level.
"I think prevention is still the key to a lot of these shootings we are seeing at these schools," McCarthy said.
McCarthy has organized an On-Site Hearing in Freeport on June 4 to focus on the subject of gang recruitment and violence on Long Island, which she linked to school safety. The Congresswoman said she hopes the conversation among authorities, local organizations and community members can lead to new ideas and practices.
"[Gangs are] a big problem," McCarthy said. "I started talking about gangs way before I ever went to Congress. Nobody would listen to me and it has only gotten worse. The whole community - the police, the schools, houses of worship - we all have to come together on this.
"The bigger picture is: How are we failing our kids so that they go into gangs? There are a lot of answers to that. That goes back to the question of education, that we get these kids at a younger age."
McCarthy, who said she is still "passionate on the gun issue," alluded to a 2002 shooting in Lynbrook involving a man with a mental illness. The shooter's mental illness, along with an order of protection already against him, should have taken away his right to purchase a gun, the Congresswoman said.
According to McCarthy, a 2003 bill that passed through the House of Representatives but not the Senate, utilized instant background checks that would block sales of guns to those who have certain mental illnesses. If there was more Congressional interest in the bill, shootings like the 2002 incident in Lynbrook, and on a larger scale at Virginia Tech, could have been prevented, she said.
"I went to my leadership and said this was a bill that could have prevented him from buying a gun," McCarthy said. "I was actually shocked, but anything to do with guns is almost impossible to get through Congress."
Also on the local level, McCarthy was adamant on issues facing residents and the Long Island Railroad. She acknowledged the LIRR's move to increase horn blasts because of safety issues, but also highlighted its recent effort to use lower decibel levels.
"I can't imagine what it is like for those living along that area," said McCarthy."There's a way, in my opinion, of having the blast but not as noisy, but again people shouldn't be driving around the gates."
The Congresswoman said there is no solution yet, but the LIRR is in the midst of conducting a pilot program, testing out different types of horns.McCarthy noted that local noise issues involve both trains, and increased air traffic.
As Memorial Day weekend approaches, McCarthy accentuated her effort to help secure more funding for American troops overseas and for veterans to receive better health care upon their return home.
"Whether you agree or disagree on military, they should be taken care of," McCarthy said. "That's paramount."
