Her district encompasses the Brooklyn communities of Brighton Beach, West Brighton Beach, Manhattan Beach, Gravesend, and portions of Midwood and Sheepshead Bay. 

She is the Minority Whip of the City Council. Vernikov, who was formerly a Democrat, is now a Republican. 

Vernikov, who had previously been a registered Democrat, changed her party affiliation to run for office and respond to the development of antisemitism and what she perceived to be socialism in New York City. She is one of Donald Trump’s supporters. 

“Jews from the former Soviet Union are very familiar with communism and socialism, and many of us feel strongly that what today’s Democratic Party is promoting is exactly what we ran from—a place where speech was censored, where we were not allowed to practice religion, where we did not have freedom or economic opportunity,” she said while running for office.

Read on to learn about Councilwoman Inna Vernikov arrested news and get to know more.

Councilwoman Inna Vernikov Arrested And Charged With Criminal Possession

Inna Vernikov, a city council member, was detained early on Friday morning on suspicion of criminal possession of a handgun after being captured on camera during a demonstration wearing a revolver on her waist.

She surrendered her weapons license and brought herself into the NYPD’s 70th Precinct in Brooklyn, a representative for the department told POLITICO.

Vernikov was photographed holding a revolver to her hip as she counterprotested a pro-Palestinian gathering outside Brooklyn College on Thursday afternoon, according to images uploaded on X, formerly known as Twitter. 

The black Smith & Wesson 9 mm, according to a representative for the NYPD. Republican Vernikov has a concealed carry permit, but lawyer Ali Najmi claimed on X that she might be breaching the law by carrying a pistol to a rally.

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Vernikov, a Jew, has been outspoken in his support of Israel and has asserted that the march will make CUNY campuses unsafe. 

No arrests or incidents related to the protest had been reported, an NYPD representative told POLITICO early on Friday.

Vernikov declined to comment but shared a video of the student demonstration instead, adding, “If you are here, standing today with these people, you’re nothing short of a terrorist without the bombs.” 

More Details On This Case

A class E felony is having a firearm while committing a crime. But given that it is a low-level, non-violent felony, it is extremely improbable that Vernikov will wind up serving any time behind bars.

Vernikov, according to an NYPD official, was issued a desk appearance ticket. It wasn’t immediately apparent when she would be required to appear in court for her arraignment. 

Still, according to a person familiar with the legal system, defendants often have three weeks. The defendant would often be processed and arraigned there and then.

Republican minority leader and city council member Joe Borelli stated, “Gun owners have a responsibility, and I’m sure she’ll confront the allegations and fight them in court. She undoubtedly feels bad about what happened.

When Lee Zeldin, a Republican, ran for governor last year, Vernikov backed him with all of his heart.