If there is anything one-party rule has taught us since Democrats took control over the state Senate, anything is possible in New York. The Empire State continues to surprise even the most seasoned New York pundits in its ability to pass unwanted legislation in a matter of hours and then dwell for months or years over much-needed meaningful reforms. I
In Albany’s latest kidney stone of a piece of legislation, they saw the Supreme Court’s check and decided to raise them another constitutional infringement. After the high court decided that New York’s century-old law was indeed unconstitutional, thereby permitting concealed carry for self-defense, Albany then limited concealed carry to the nth degree.
To add insult to injury, even if a private business owner wants to permit weapons on their property, they have to post signage. This includes if the store owner has a weapon for their own protection, thereby placing an undue burden on shop owners simply trying to protect themselves from criminality. Now, some may refuse to shop at certain small businesses for political reasons. Even worse, criminals may target businesses with no signage, knowing they would make easier targets.
In our current situation, with rising crime and a decreased trust in policing, depriving law-abiding citizens of the ability to defend themselves in real-time is criminal. The restrictions hastily passed by Governor Hochul will put lives in danger and make felons out of law-abiding citizens.
There may very well be restrictions that protect lives and the rights of law-abiding citizens, but they will not be found at 2:00 a.m. in a piece of legislation no one has read. With droves of people leaving the state due to Hochul and her predecessor’s policies, at least let those of us that remain to protect ourselves and our property from the onslaught of lawlessness.
