Carolyn McCarthy, former N.Y. congresswoman and staunch gun control advocate, dies at 81
Former New York Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, known as a prominent advocate for gun control, has died at the age of 81 after a long battle with cancer.
McCarthy, a Democrat, served the 4th Congressional District, which covers central and southern Nassau County, from 1997 until 2015. She left office after announcing she would not seek reelection.
Following the death of her husband in the 1993 Long Island Rail Road massacre, McCarthy made gun control her top priority in the House, fighting to curb the availability of guns and large ammunition magazines.
"Anything I can do to make sure this doesn't happen to anyone else, I will give my life to do that," McCarthy once told CBS News New York's Jennifer McLogan.
The LIRR shooting pushed McCarthy into politics
McCarthy had an improbable political career, as fate changed her life. She was a nurse and a registered Republican from Mineola when she was thrust into the national spotlight 32 years ago. Gunman Colin Ferguson shot and killed her husband, Dennis, and five others on an LIRR train, and wounded 19 more, including her only child, Kevin.
"I don't know where that voice came. I tell people, you don't know the strength you have in you, until you are faced with what you have to deal with," she told McLogan back in 2014.
Her son recovered and is now married with two children. He said his mother told him, "I'm not going to be your mother. I'm going to be your nurse," adding those words of optimism inspired him to walk again and testify against Ferguson.
McCarthy emerged from that emotional trial as an activist, and then, with no political experience, she defeated incumbent Republican Rep. Dan Frisa and was on her way to Washington.
"Oh my gosh this is not the way I want to start Congress, a celebrity, the last thing any new freshman wants," she told McLogan.
McCarthy said she had great confidence in the younger generation.
"I always hoped, and I still hope that, even at my age, I will see gun violence cut out before I die," she said.
McCarthy had many other accomplishments in Congress
McCarthy said she was embraced and throughout her 18-year career helped pass 15 pieces of major legislation through three presidents. She was also devoted to making changes in education and health care, with some voters telling her she had inspired them to become nurses.
"I get chills when I think about how many lives I was able to change because God put me on this path," McCarthy. "I just wanted to make a difference."
In January, President Biden honored McCarthy with the Presidential Citizens Medal, the second-highest civilian honor in the United States.
"Our nation and our Island have lost a fierce champion"
"I was proud to serve with Carolyn McCarthy in Congress. After losing her husband and nearly losing her son in the 1993 LIRR massacre, Carolyn turned tragedy into a lifelong fight to end gun violence. Carolyn was kind, principled, and strong. She will be deeply missed," Gov. Kathy Hochul wrote on social media.
Commenting on social media, New York Rep. Tom Suozzi said McCarthy was "one of the nation's great champions in the fight against gun violence. Our nation and our Island have lost a fierce champion."
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman issued the following statement on McCarthy's passing:
"Sad to hear of the passing of Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy. I recently spoke with her about the 125th anniversary of Nassau County and invited her to attend the county's gala as an honored guest. Unfortunately, she wasn't feeling up to it, but she expressed her best wishes and love for Nassau County. Carolyn was a true leader and a very decent person. She will be sorely missed," Blakeman said.
Blakeman has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in McCarthy's honor and has instructed the county's Department of Public Works to find a suitable location to name a street in her honor.
