Firearms Owners Against Crime
Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action
Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action
In the wake of an attack on individuals celebrating Hanukkah at a rabbi’s home in Monsey, New York, many folks concerned about a rise in anti-Semitic attacks are calling for an overhaul of the state’s gun laws and a recognition of the right of self-defense for those increasingly targeted for their faith.
Personally, I think every city and state that refuses to recognize the actual right to keep and bear arms needs to get with the program. Jews should have access to all their constitutional rights, but so should Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, agnostics, atheists, and Pastafarians.
No one should have to leave a state in order to exercise a constitutional right. The fact that it’s even an argument is a demonstration that the Second Amendment is treated as a privilege in places like New York and New Jersey. Bethany Mandel is right that it’s these states that need to change their laws, not residents who need to change their address.
Of course, in the case Jesse Kelly cited, it would be nearly impossible for this mom in Brooklyn to obtain a concealed carry license to protect herself and her child while walking in her neighborhood. As retired NYPD Detective Rob O’Donnell noted on Twitter, however, we may very well see more members of the Jewish faith in New York attempt to exercise their rights.
Unfortunately, even if thousands of Jews in New York and New Jersey start the exhaustive process of trying to receive permission from the State to exercise their constitutional rights, the vast majority of them are going to get be told they don’t have “good cause” to carry a firearm for self-defense. Stephen Miller says it’s time to engage in acts of civil disobedience.
I suspect that New York prosecutors would accept that dare and would absolutely prosecute those who carried for self-defense without a license. It’s already happening in Brooklyn, where the vast majority of defendants facing felony charges for possessing a gun without a license are individuals without any serious criminal history.
The obvious answer is for anti-gun politicians to recognize the fact that their policies are preventing people from exercising their right of self-defense as well as their rights to keep and bear arms.
Former NYPD officer John Cardillo is spot on, but it looks like New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is more interested in photo ops than allowing individuals to exercise their constitutional rights.
We can work on changing hearts and minds, but that’s no excuse for politicians to continue depriving people of their right to protect themselves. As New York City’s mayor and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo pay lip service to the idea that they’re going to crack down on these anti-Semitic attacks, they’re callously creating these situations where individuals cannot hope to protect themselves once the attacks occur. Words of comfort aren’t enough. Recognizing the rights of residents would be a better place to start.
Cam Edwards has covered the 2nd Amendment for more than 15 years as a broadcast and online journalist, as well as the co-author of "Heavy Lifting: Grow Up, Get a Job, Start a Family, and Other Manly Advice" with Jim Geraghty. He lives outside of Farmville, Virginia with his family. https://bearingarms.com/author/camedwards/