New York: Disarming Citizens, Empowering Criminals
On July 20, an off-duty U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer was shot in the face during a robbery attempt at Fort Washington Park in Manhattan. The suspects? Two men on a moped—one of whom is reportedly an illegal migrant and repeat offender, freed after every arrest.
Despite being gravely wounded, the CBP officer managed to return fire, hitting his attacker three times. His bravery likely saved his life and brought the shooter into custody when he sought hospital treatment. His accomplice was arrested shortly after.
Fortunately, the federal officer was armed. But ordinary New Yorkers aren’t so lucky.
Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen (2022), which affirmed the right to carry firearms in public for self-defense, New York responded with new restrictions under the misleadingly named “Concealed Carry Improvement Act.” Among its many hurdles, the law requires applicants to demonstrate “good moral character,” undergo vague and invasive background checks, and—even if approved—still avoid so-called “sensitive locations” like parks, where the CBP agent was attacked.
In fact, getting a carry permit in New York City is so convoluted that Spectrum News NY1 reported in February 2025 that hiring a lawyer has become an “unofficial” requirement.
Meanwhile, the Criminal Walks Free
According to the New York Post, the suspected shooter was a 21-year-old Dominican national with a long arrest history, including kidnapping, weapons charges, and assaults—yet he was released after each arrest due to lenient bail policies. He even had a standing deportation order, but NYC’s sanctuary laws protected him from ICE.
His accomplice? Another illegal migrant, arrested eight times in NYC after his deportation was ordered. Each time, he was released.
These are the kinds of criminals New York politicians protect while denying basic self-defense rights to ordinary citizens.
Australia: The Anti-Self-Defense Utopia
Gun control advocates often point to Australia as a model. They shouldn’t.
In Australia, self-defense isn’t a “genuine reason” to own a firearm. And it gets worse: a Queensland man was recently charged for using pepper spray on a home intruder. The magistrate scolded him for trying to protect his property, calling it a “misconceived attempt” and sentencing him to a six-month good behavior bond.
Queensland law prohibits carrying anything that could be considered a weapon—even non-lethal sprays. Only Western Australia allows defensive sprays under tight regulations. A recent crime spike in Queensland—where violent crime has nearly tripled since 2020—only underscores the absurdity of these laws.
Whose Side Are They On?
The message from gun control jurisdictions is clear: criminals get free rein, while law-abiding citizens are disarmed and punished for trying to protect themselves.
New York City makes it nearly impossible to carry a firearm. Australia criminalizes basic non-lethal self-defense. And in both places, the government enables known violent offenders to reoffend while leaving victims helpless.
The social contract is being shredded. If the state won’t protect you and won’t let you protect yourself, you have to ask: whose side are they on?
