Brooklyn resident Mallory Hagan was crowned Miss America 2013 on Saturday night, marking the first time a New York City gal has won the title since 1945. After dominating the talent portion by tap dancing to James Brown‘s “Get Up Off of That Thing,” the 23-year-old nailed a question about gun control in the wake of the Newtown tragedy.
“I don’t think the proper way to fight violence is with violence,” she said when asked about the NRA’s controversial plan to post armed guards at schools. “I think the proper way is to educate people on guns and the ways we can use them properly. We can lock them up, we can have gun safety classes, we can have a longer waiting period.”
Hagan’s title as Miss America 2013 awards her a $50,000 scholarship and a yearlong run as an advocate and role model. Her platform was stopping child sexual abuse. “Hagan has chosen to honor the women in her family who have been victims of sexual abuse by sharing their personal stories and encouraging others to take a stand,” reads her Miss New York profile.
Check out the pictures from the competition below!
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