As a Brooklyn native who was born, raised, and still resides here, I'd like to talk about the 2nd Amendment infringements that we New Yorkers regularly face. Before I start, I would like to thank another Brooklyn native, Frank Filocomo, for giving me the opportunity to write for this blog. Frank and I been good friends for years and are both very invested in the politics of our hometown.
As a citizen of the United States and stalwart believer in the Constitution, it is my opinion that we are allowing local, city, state, and federal governments to become too big to the point that they see the country's founding document as nothing more than a piece of parchment, subject to individual interpretation.
The city of New York makes becoming a law-abiding gun owner nearly impossible. The process of obtaining a license takes anywhere from 6 months to a year. You must provide all residence history, employment history, driving history, and medical history pertaining to mental health. You also need 2-4 references who will vouch for you and state that you have "Good Moral Character."
What, though, is "Good Moral Character," as defined by the State? Should we allow the State to make those decisions on our behalf? Losing the right to own a gun because an old boss fired you due to an argument/disagreement? Getting arrested due to a physical altercation because you were defending yourself? These are just a couple of ways the NYPD cooks up their decision-making on who they "believe" should have the right to own a firearm, even though this is plainly written in our Constitution. Some people have the funds and the connections to fight these denials when they happen. What happens, however, to the less fortunate who are plainly trying to exercise their rights?
Before the 2022 Supreme Court ruling, New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, it was practically impossible to get a concealed carry license in New York City unless you were a political figure, business owner, or celebrity. Talk about the importance of "having connections." The constitution was written for the people, not for the upper class to interpret it how they want. Don't forget that the NYPD will ALWAYS exempt themselves from these draconian laws.
Regular citizens cant have an AR? The NYPD can. Regular citizens cant own more than a 5 round magazine? Again, the NYPD can. The list goes on and will continue to go on until reform happens.
All these rules and laws that are written for the common folk like us has no effect on criminals illegally purchasing firearms. The government knows this just as the people do. Big Brother uses crime for their own political purposes, tightening restrictions on firearms, and making life more difficult for law-abiding citizens. This, however, is a topic for another time.
If the states have the ability to make their own laws and interpret the Constitution as they see fit, we are headed down a dangerous road. The Constitution is an instructional rulebook that was written and designed purposely for ALL states to follow, not a Microsoft Word document to be changed and edited when government officials deem fit. If we continue to allow elected officials to deliberately attack the Constitution like this, their insatiable hunger for further restrictions will only grow. Our government will continue to use police force and 3-letter agencies as political pawns to further their agendas to infringe on our rights.
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