{"id":3936,"date":"2011-05-03T11:05:15","date_gmt":"2011-05-03T15:05:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.gunpoliticsny.com\/?p=3936"},"modified":"2011-05-03T11:12:18","modified_gmt":"2011-05-03T15:12:18","slug":"arming-bodega-owners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.gunpoliticsny.com\/?p=3936","title":{"rendered":"Arming bodega owners"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Bodega Association of the United States is encouraging store owners to apply for NYC pistol licenses. \u00a0According to the Daily News<\/a>:<\/p>\n

“… Luis Ducasse, head of the Bodega Association of the United States, has been targeting cornershops and delis in crime-ridden neighborhoods, handing out gun-license applications to owners … The pistol push began after at least 12 deli owners from the Bronx and Queens told Ducasse they were victims of an armed robbery in the last few weeks, he said. At least three deli workers were killed in robberies this winter, he said …”<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Disgraceful. \u00a0Where is Mayor Bloomberg<\/a> on this? \u00a0Nowhere to bee seen. \u00a0As for the police:<\/p>\n

“… The NYPD<\/a> declined to comment on the recent deli robberies or Ducasse’s efforts. \u00a0But Bronx officers recently trained deli operators how to best protect themselves, including adding better security cameras, keeping small amounts of cash in registers and avoiding confrontations …”<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This is nice, but considering they have no legal obligation whatsoever<\/span> to protect citizens, would it not be be better for police brass to stop playing politics and simply issue pistol licenses to whomever applies for them? \u00a0There is absolutely no legal reason<\/span> for them to force ordinary people to go through the abusive process they do now. \u00a0They can issue unrestricted licenses right now to Joe Citizen just like they do for the rich and politically connected<\/a>.<\/p>\n