U.S.A. -(AmmoLand.com)- For New York City’s Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio, the gun is the problem, not the criminal.
That’s why he focused on New York City’s crime problem by restricting law-abiding citizens’ ability to purchase firearms for self-protection. The mayor announced major “crime reduction” plans twice before and missed by a mile. The mayor’s plan to reduce crime is aimed not at criminals, but those who abide by the law.
New York City crime spiked over the last several months and Mayor de Blasio’s unserious approach has been a major factor. The accidental mayor twiddled his thumbs as crime and criminal firearm misuse rose. His plans to keep citizens safe included a billion-dollar law enforcement budget cut and window dressing gun buyback events. After those proved ineffective, the mayor announced more of the same with a similar plan.
Instead of cracking down on crime, he’s carping on lawful gun owners.
“We’ve come so far to try to keep guns out of the hands of New Yorkers,” the mayor said. “And the Supreme Court, it looks like they’re working overtime to put guns right back in those hands. That really worries me.”
The mayor didn’t say “criminals” or “law-breakers” or “New Yorkers with concerning mental issues.” He said “New Yorkers,” because he believes the gun is the problem, not the operator.
Wrong Approach
NYC Police Commissioner Dermot Shea also responded to the news of the Supreme Court’s acceptance of hearing the case, New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Corlett. “We already have a concerted focus on reducing shootings in New York City; adding more guns to our streets is not the answer to reducing violence,” he said following the SCOTUS announcement.
But in 2020, Mayor de Blasio announced his “concerted focus” included a proposed $1 billion cut in police funds.
“I am excited to say that we have a plan that can achieve real reform, that can achieve real redistribution…,” the mayor said. The cuts included reducing school resource officers, eliminating 1,100 police positions, canceling training classes for recruits, paying overtime, and even eliminating plans for a new police precinct.
Mayor de Blasio made the announcement right as crime rose and community violence and looting were increasing. It’s no wonder law-abiding New Yorkers had an interest in buying a gun for self-protection.
Read the Room
Throughout 2020, Americans in historic numbers went to federally licensed gun retailers, passed a background check, and purchased a firearm. Stating self-defense as a top priority, 21 million FBI National Instant Criminal Background Checks (NICS) for a gun sale were processed last year, and the pace is continuing in 2021. More than 8.4 million of those were first-time gun buyers. Mayor de Blasio believes these law-abiding Americans who want to protect themselves, their families, and their property are the problem, not criminals on the streets of New York City.
While Mayor de Blasio continues to blame law-abiding gun owners for the crime problem perpetuated by criminals, it’s not surprising he continues to turn his back on law enforcement and police unions. Americans across the country are taking the right for self-protection into their own hands and the Supreme Court’s impending decision New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Corlett may mean New Yorkers will be able to do so in the future without the approval of Mayor de Blasio.
Gun control proposals from Congress have largely stalled, leaving President Joe Biden to announce executive actions. He claims popular support, but recent polls tell a different story. Americans’ appetite for gun control is the lowest it’s been in several years. Politicians singing a gun control tune, including Mayor de Blasio, should exit stage left.
For de Blasio, a focus on law enforcement and safety, punishing criminals for their actions, and protecting the citizens of New York City would be a better tune.
About The National Shooting Sports Foundation
NSSF is the trade association for the firearm industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of thousands of manufacturers, distributors, firearm retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations, and publishers nationwide. For more information, visit nssf.org
I can’t believe there are that many stupid people in NY who voted for this useless POS. Apparently NY isn’t worth staying and fighting for.
Could be some hope with Lee Zeldin. He’s been a guest on Tucker and Hannity a few times along with some of the True Americans as Jim Jordan, Steve Scalise, Devin Nunes, Trey Gowdy, Kevin McCarthy (not that actor in that movie Innerspace). He’s Pro-Second Amendment, voted Yea on Richard Hudson’s HR38 Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act that overwhelmingly passed the Congress but then Mitch McConnell let sit for a year with no Senate Vote then just let fade way.
De Blasio is a complete idiot that lies and believes his own lies .
New York City is no longer the Big Apple it should now be called
The Big Toilet.
Bill De Blasio gets the world wrong. The Progressive New Left upside down, inside out view of the world allows them to value the lives of murderers while murdering the most innocent of all, humans in the womb and celebrate that action like Aztecs doing ritual murder to appease their false gods. When your fundamental premises about man and the universe are negative image of reality you cannot be expected to solve the most basic of problems. Meet Bill De Blasio.
New York City and State are getting EXACTLY what they voted for. Democracy in action . Elections have consequences.
Not a bit sorry for them.
Actually, Progressive New Left totalitarians in action. There is nothing democratic about totalitarianism. Fools are bred in failed families and dysfunctional schools. Failed culture brings failed republics. This is the blue utopia that the Progressive New Left has dreamed about for 50 years and they are now bringing death to life in places like NYC,SF, Portland, Seattle and Chicago.
It would have been good to ask Chairman Andrew Cuomo and put his warped, failed, hateful, etc. response in the article; if only for a few laughs, and mocking. You know, the guy who gave free Driver Licenses to Illegal Alien Trespassers but charges each New York Legal Citizen $80.50. I guess he can’t be found easily these days fearing Woman Number 11 will come out to drop the dime on him in another sex crime he perpetrated. You know, that NY Democrat Leader who stole $900.00 in STAR Rebate Checks from every NEW York Property Owner this past November… Read more »
When looking at an anti0-2A braindead politician like DeBlasio, there is no chance to get things right. Good news is that residents are voting with their feet and leaving that cesspool, which will be a big hit in terms of voting power.
Yes they are leaving. FL and the Carolinas are being flooded with them. They come for a slower pace, low taxes and more. The bring the same stupid ideas of the crap state they left is the problem. We don’t want the majority, let them fix what they ruined instead of ruining what we have preserved.