NYC Mayoral Nominee Mamdani Meets Family of Slain NYPD Officer, Calls for Assault Weapons Ban

Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic mayoral nominee for New York City, visited the family of Didarul Islam, an off-duty NYPD officer killed in a mass shooting at a Manhattan office building. Mamdani, who had been criticized for his past calls to defund the police and statements about the NYPD, expressed condolences and gratitude toward law enforcement for their response, while calling for a nationwide ban on assault rifles. He faced criticism from opponents like Mayor Eric Adams and former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who questioned his understanding of public safety and policing. During a press conference, Mamdani emphasized the need to balance public safety with reforming policing practices and highlighted the importance of honoring the victims and supporting their families. The shooting, which also claimed three other lives, has intensified the mayoral race discourse around policing and gun control. Mamdani's meeting with Islam's family and his call for stronger gun regulations reflect his attempt to address both the tragedy and his political opponents' concerns.