Democratic Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz says he invited Republican Congressman Chris Collins to participate in a Town Hall-style conversation to address ways of reducing mass shootings. But Collins is saying no.Poloncarz says he talked to Collins on the phone following last week's shooting in Parkland, Florida about possible legislation to reduce gun violence. He says their conversation sparked the idea that perhaps the two could engage in a dialogue in a public setting.
Poloncarz says he reached out to WNED-WBFO about broadcasting the town hall.
But Collins is rejecting Poloncarz's invitation to a Town Hall, saying the county executive is "exploiting the Parkland tragedy for his own political gain."