Several organizations have come together to voice their concerns about gun violence in Buffalo

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Organizations came together to voice concerns about gun violence in Buffalo, one day after two teenagers were charged with murder in the shooting death of three-year-old Ramone Carter.

WKBW

Buffalo FATHERS President Lenny Lane organized a toy gun exchange on Jefferson Avenue to get toy guns out of children’s hands.

WKBW

“We don’t want our kids to feel comfortable even with a gun, so we don’t take away play time from them,” he said. “We give them something educational, like a book, football or basketball, something we know they can build their career on.”

On Main Street in Buffalo, the owners of Luxor Steak & Lobster and other organizations came together in hopes of making their voices heard about the domino effect of gun violence.

WKBW

“We need to start holding the people who are responsible for these acts of violence accountable,” said Tara Roods, owner of Luxor. “Not the companies, not the victims, but the actual perpetrators.”

The city of Buffalo shut down Luxor’s operations after someone was shot outside the restaurant outside of restaurant hours in May.

WKBW

This person later died at ECMC.

WKBW

“We don’t make money to pay our bills. It all costs money and we are nothing more than a customer service company,” says Taru Woods, co-owner of Luxor. “We are business leaders who must be accountable for actions we cannot control. »

These community members now hope that more peaceful days lie ahead for the Queen City.

“Our city needs prayer. We are just starting summer. We have a violent city. I can’t believe these criminal acts are so popular, because it seems like everyone should know each other,” says Taru. “We just don’t know what to do about the acts of violence in the city of Buffalo, but we will pray.”