MIKE TO GUN-PERMIT HOLDERS: 'PACK' IT IN (NYC)

[Paladin]

http://www.nypost.com/seven/11012006/ne ... lovett.htm

"By KENNETH LOVETT

November 1, 2006 -- ALBANY - The city should slash the number of people who are allowed to carry concealed weapons, Mayor Bloomberg said yesterday.

"We've taken a look at it to see whether we couldn't have fewer," Bloomberg said. "I can tell you one thing: We will keep it to as a minimum as we possibly can."

Bloomberg added that he has asked Police Commissioner Ray Kelly to tackle the issue.

"If you want a gun permit, you should have to really show that your life is in danger, and that having a gun will protect you, will improve the chances of you surviving," the mayor said.

He added that he doesn't have a problem with people who own guns to hunt, but said it doesn't make sense for those in densely populated urban areas.

"I do think that having concealed weapons on the streets of major cities is not something that is in the interests of the citizens of those cities in this day and age, and I don't think the founding fathers really thought about that when they drafted the Constitution," Bloomberg said.

The mayor has been on a much-publicized national campaign to crack down on illegal guns and dealers who sell them.

Yesterday, he traveled to the state Capitol to join Gov. Pataki, who signed a law that will strengthen penalties against those who are carrying a loaded, illegal weapon at the time of their arrest, as long as its outside the home or workplace.

Pataki said, though, that he supports the current law regarding the number of permit-holders.

"I think the law we have is a very good law, and right now, you have to have a permit and I think that is appropriate," he said.

Gun-rights supporters blasted Bloomberg for wanting to restrict legal ownership.

"His office has given concealed-carry permits to the Hollywood elite, friends of the mayor, and the financially powerful - whereas the regular Joes and Janes who probably need it more are plain flat out of luck," said National Rifle Association spokesman Andrew Arulanandam.

The Post reported in March that among those with permits to carry concealed weapons in the city are cosmetics heir Ronald Lauder, Donald Trump and Seagrams scion Edgar Bronfman Sr.

Also allowed to pack heat are actors Robert De Niro and Harvey Keitel; radio personalities Howard Stern and Don Imus; and state Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, who doesn't live in the city, but has an office here.

The Post also re ported in March that the number of pistol permits in the city has declined, dropping to 38,544 this year, from 41,173 in 2003.

Last year, 81 percent of those who applied were granted a permit to carry a concealed gun.

Tom King, president of the state Rifle and Pistol Association, said restricting the rights of legal-gun owners has not helped reduce the crime rate in Washington.

"The problem is not with the legal and lawful gun owner. It is with the person who has the unregistered illegal gun or who is using it for crime or in drug deals," King said.

Arulanandam added, "If Mayor Bloomberg had his way, he would unilaterally disregard the Constitution and the amendments and outlaw firearm ownership even by law-abiding citizens."

kenneth.lovett@nypost.com"

[Paladin]

With a population of ~8 million and 38,544 licensed gun permit holders... thats less than 1/2 a percent of the NYC population with a gun permit. But I guess that's too much for Bloomberg

[KinnyLee]

What a moron!

[stevie_d_64]

Yeah, he's all theirs...

Not that he'll ever achieve the title of America's Mayor!!! Woo Hoo!!!

-end sarcasm-

[bburgi]

"If you want a gun permit, you should have to really show that your life is in danger, and that having a gun will protect you, will improve the chances of you surviving," the mayor said.

He added that he doesn't have a problem with people who own guns to hunt, but said it doesn't make sense for those in densely populated urban areas.

"I do think that having concealed weapons on the streets of major cities is not something that is in the interests of the citizens of those cities in this day and age..."

Umm... wow... I don't even know what to say to this...

#1. I think statistics and common sense would show that your life is always potentially in danger simply because criminal activity cannot be predicted. How could having a gun NOT improve your chances of surviving though? Need we bring up the recent story of the lady in the wheel chair who shot her wanna-be mugger?

#2. What the heck? In this day and age? Does being more "civilized" more "urban" more... whatever keep criminal from attacking innocent people? I think that living in an urban environment, with more people packed into a smaller area, more potential for conflict, more criminal activity, etc, the need for self-protection is even greater.

[HighVelocity]

"I do think that having concealed weapons on the streets of major cities is not something that is in the interests of the citizens of those cities in this day and age, and I don't think the founding fathers really thought about that when they drafted the Constitution," Bloomberg said.

He is not from this planet.

[stevie_d_64]

I think we can revoke his passport then...

Heck anythings possible...

[Venus Pax]

I'm not surprised.

[G.C.Montgomery]

Can we remove New York City from the union now? While we are at it, can we get rid of Chicago, Southern California and thin the tree hugging herds a bit in Washington, Oregon and most of the East Coast? I'd pay to see Bloomberg ride the subway WITHOUT his armed security detail.

[oilman]

"If you want a gun permit, you should have to really show that your life is in danger, and that having a gun will protect you, will improve the chances of you surviving," the mayor said

It may be just the fact that I have had a long day but this ridiculous elitism is getting really old.

Studies DO show that having a gun will protect you and increase your chances of survival. I'll bet the mayor will still employ his bodyguards because he believes that their guns will protect him and increase his chances for survival!

Why should anyone have to show that there life is in danger before being granted a permit? Most times we do not know our lives are in danger until a threat materializes. Two examples, last year my son was robbed at gunpoint in broad daylight while away at college. He did not know before hand his life would be in danger that day, much less prove it. The same holds true for the three folks robbed at gunpoint in their driveway several months ago in our neighborhood. This is a neighborhood with household incomes that range up to about $200,000 and beyond. The crime comes from gang bangers and other thugs who come into the neighborhood from outside. Hard to prove to the mayor that any one particular resident of the neighborhood's life is at risk but in fact they are all at some risk due to the criminals that seek a target of opportunity.

Why should one's life being in danger be the defining criteria? How about risk of serious injury, sexual assault, rape, robbery etc.

How does his honor the mayor have any idea what the founding fathers would have thought of life in the big city? There were cities in their day just not as large and marvelous (sarcasm) as NYC!

Why should the elite and well connected get permits but not others. Are their lives worth more than anyone else's?

I could say more but I think I will stop here.

[wo5m]

"I don't think the founding fathers really thought about that when they drafted the Constitution," Bloomberg said.

Hmm, I guess that is why out of all the issues it was the SECOND thing they addressed in the Bill of Rights.

[KBCraig]

Can we remove New York City from the union now?

You'd certainly have the support of the rest of New York State!

[Skiprr]

Darn ya, Paladin. I had a very long day, came home, and thought I'd have a quiet few minutes checking up on my favorite forum.

Now I'm hoppin' aggrevated and may not be able to get to sleep.

I won't EVEN point Bloomberg to Texas statistics that show I am far safer standing next to a Texas CHL holder than I am any other citizen:

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administra ... vrates.htm

And I won't EVEN think about pointing Bloomberg to an ABC News 20/20 report that's over three years old:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RR9RN_iSKtg

Get with the times, Mayor Bloomberg. Highly condensed urban areas are far LESS safe than the "Old West." People with legal handguns aren't calling each other out over a suspect Ace of Spades. CHL holders are stalwart, backround-checked citizens who take the responsibility very seriously.

I can't think of the title of the movie, but remember the one where a couple of armed burglars decide to knock off a bar? They walk in at prime time, pull out handguns, and tell the unsuspecting patrons to get on the floor. Only problem for the BGs is that it's a cop bar...about 40 LEOs instantly present and site on the two idiots.

My understanding is that we have about 300,000 CHL holders in Texas. I personally would be more comfortable at night if that were 3 million. We're the good guys. The police can't be everywhere; lord knows they're always under-funded and under-staffed for the task they're pledged to. But if I'm in a restaurant having a quiet meal when some meth-head decides to shoot the place up, I'd like to think there are several CHL carriers in there with me.

We have a nice slogan I've always liked: Don't mess with Texas.

A Texan walking to his or her car at night in a poorly-lit parking lot may not be the easy mark a BG thinks. The BG may just get a few .45 hollow points for his trouble.

If the bad guys don't have to worry about that in New York City, well, maybe they will decide to move to a cozy sub-let in south Bronks where they can freely terrorize unarmed citizens.

Mayor Bloomberg, we all love New York. Protect it. Allow authorized citizens to carry firearms. Violent crime will decrease. That's a promise.

[dws1117]

I'll bet the mayor will still employ his bodyguards because he believes that their guns will protect him and increase his chances for survival!

Yeah, but he's important.

[Paladin]

Mikey admits that, at least in the past, NYC would give out permits to those with connections:

"Mayor Bloomberg blasted his political predecessors yesterday for handing out concealed-gun permits to their well-connected cronies.
"We have been pretty hard-nosed about renewing [permits]," Bloomberg said on his weekly WABC-AM radio show.

"Sometimes, some administrations, you know, if any of their friends want a gun permit, they just gave it to 'em," he said. "And I don't think that's right. I think you should have to justify it."

Bloomberg did not single out any of his predecessors for blame or identify the New Yorkers he believes were wrongly given permits to carry concealed weapons."

http://www.nydailynews.com/11-04-2006/n ... 3928c.html



Some great responses from New Yorkers:

http://www.nypost.com/seven/11042006/po ... tters_.htm