Opinion
If you’re reading this, you already know the stakes.
The right to armed self-defense is under relentless attack, particularly in places like New York, where the government’s bureaucratic machine is rigged to frustrate law-abiding citizens who seek to protect themselves. This isn’t speculation; it’s a calculated strategy.
For decades, New York’s political leadership has made it clear: they view civilian gun ownership not as a constitutional right but as an inconvenience at best and a threat at worst. Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling in Bruen, which struck down New York’s unconstitutional “proper cause” requirement, the state has merely shifted tactics. Where they once outright denied applications, they now stall, delay, and bury applicants in red tape.
The NYPD License Division’s End Run Around Bruen
The Supreme Court’s decision in NYSRPA v. Bruen was supposed to level the playing field. It ruled that New York’s licensing scheme—requiring a citizen to prove an arbitrary “proper cause” to carry a firearm—was unconstitutional. The ruling should have opened the door for lawful citizens to exercise their Second Amendment rights without unnecessary government interference. But the NYPD’s License Division had other plans.
Unable to reject applicants outright under Bruen, the department has pivoted to a new, equally unconstitutional strategy: endless delays. The law mandates that applications be processed within six months. The NYPD routinely ignores this, often dragging out approvals for a year or more, all without explanation. Worse still, when applicants seek answers, they are met with bureaucratic silence.
A System Built on Obstacles, Not Safety
Let’s be clear: this is not about public safety. The data consistently show that legally armed citizens are overwhelmingly law-abiding and play a critical role in self-defense. A March 7th article on AmmoLand News, citing research from John Lott and the Crime Prevention Research Center, made it plain: concealed carry permit holders are among the most law-abiding demographics in the country. Yet New York refuses to acknowledge this reality.
Instead, Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams push a narrative that paints lawful gun owners as part of the problem, not the solution. Their answer? A “good moral character” test—nothing more than a thinly veiled version of the old “proper cause” standard. This new hurdle allows bureaucrats to arbitrarily decide who “deserves” to exercise their constitutional rights.
A Legacy of Corruption & Control
New York’s obsession with controlling civilian gun ownership isn’t new. The state has a long and corrupt history of manipulating firearm licensing to benefit the well-connected while leaving everyday citizens defenseless. The Sullivan Act, passed in 1911, was one of the earliest examples of using licensing laws to disarm the public—particularly immigrants and minorities who were viewed as politically undesirable.
Fast forward to today, and the same anti-gun policies persist. But make no mistake: the goal has never been public safety. If it were, the state wouldn’t be actively obstructing the rights of law-abiding citizens while allowing crime to flourish.
New York politicians aren’t interested in stopping violent criminals—they’re interested in stopping you from being able to defend yourself against them.
What Comes Next?
With lawsuits piling up against New York’s defiance of Bruen, all eyes are on the Supreme Court. Antonyuk v. James could be the case that forces the state to comply with the Constitution finally. But even if the Court rules against New York again, expect state officials to find yet another way to sidestep the law.
This fight is far from over. The system is designed to exhaust and discourage gun owners from pursuing their rights. But we cannot afford to give up. Every legal challenge, every lawsuit, and every citizen who refuses to back down is part of a larger movement to reclaim our fundamental freedoms.
For those who want to dig deeper into the long history of New York’s war on the Second Amendment, check out the full Arbalest Quarrel article. The more you know, the better prepared you’ll be for the next round in this ongoing battle for our rights.
CPRC: The Many Ways Concealed Carry Permitees Enhance Public Safety
More Gun Owners Take NYPD to Court Over Concealed Carry License Delays
About The Arbalest Quarrel:
Arbalest Group created `The Arbalest Quarrel’ website for a special purpose. That purpose is to educate the American public about recent Federal and State firearms control legislation. No other website, to our knowledge, provides as deep an analysis or as thorough an analysis. Arbalest Group offers this information free.
For more information, visit: www.arbalestquarrel.com.
