Bloomberg Calls for More Gun Laws Minutes Before Empire State Building Shooting

New York City Mayor Bloomberg was on a rant this morning against guns in New York City. Despite the fact that guns are illegal to carry in New York City, gun crime is on the rise. The Daily Mail reported that just minutes before the Empire State Building shooting, Mayor Bloomberg warned about guns:

Coincidentally, just minutes before the shooting, Mayor Bloomberg warned about the dangers of 'too many guns on the streets' on his weekly radio show.

While discussing proposed tougher gun laws in Albany shortly before 9a.m., he said: 'The argument guns don’t kill people, people kill people is one of the most disingenuous things you can say.'

'It does take a person to pull the trigger, but if they didn’t have the gun... We are the only developed country in the world with this problem,' the mayor continued.

It is unclear how increased gun laws would have assisted today's situation. Gunman Jeffrey Johnson, 53, was not legally carrying a gun. Guns are illegal in New York City. Some quick research into legal options to carry guns in NYC reveals that you have no personal right to carry a weapon. Only business reasons qualify for gun licenses with the only exception locking the gun to a specific premises:

Types of Licenses

PREMISES LICENSE: IS A RESTRICTED TYPE OF LICENSE. It is issued for your RESIDENCE or BUSINESS. The Licensee may possess a handgun ONLY on the premises of the address indicated on the front of the license. Licensees may also transport their handguns and ammunition in SEPARATE LOCKED CONTAINERS, DIRECTLY to and from an authorized range, or hunting location. HANDGUNS MUST BE UNLOADED while being transported. 

CARRY BUSINESS LICENSE: This is an unrestricted class of license which permits the carrying of a handgun concealed on the person. It is valid for the business name, address, and handguns listed on the front of the license. It is not transferable to any other person, business, occupation, or address, without the written approval of the commanding officer, license division. 

LIMITED CARRY BUSINESS LICENSE: IS A RESTRICTED TYPE OF LICENSE. The licensee may only carry handguns indicated on the license in accordance with the specific limitations listed thereon. At all other times the weapon must be safeguarded within the confines of the business address listed on the front of the license either concealed on the licensee's person in a proper holster or stored unloaded in a locked safe.

SPECIAL CARRY LICENSE: Is valid for the business name, address and handguns listed on the front of this license, only while the licensee has in his possession a valid basic county license issued according to the provisions of article 400 of the N.Y.S. Penal law. Upon the revocation, suspension, or cancellation of the basic license, the special license is rendered void and must be immediately returned to the license division. 

CARRY GUARD LICENSE: (SECURITY GUARDS, ETC.) Applications for this type of license must be made with the documentation provided by a company's Gun Custodian. It is issued only for the handgun listed on the license. The handgun may be carried only while the licensee is actively engaged in employment for the company whose name appears on the license, and/or while licensee is in transit directly to or from residence and place of employment. At all other times the handgun must be stored unloaded in a locked container, at either the address on the license, or at the employee's legal residence (within the State of New York).

It seems clear that gun bans give criminals a clear advantage over victims. Guns are known as the great equalizer. Examples like Chicago and the country of Mexico clearly show that banning guns from lawful citizens is an emotional and irrational action. The NYC ban has had no positive effect on gun crimes:

Between 2009 and 2011, the number of people shot in New York climbed from 1,727 to 1,821 even as the NYPD was ratcheting up the number of people it rousted from 510,742 in 2009 to the record 685,724, the statistics showed...

Police in New York City went so far as to blame Occupy Wall Street for recent increases in gun crimes. The trend in gun crime has occupied New York City long before the protesters. Officials are simply making excuses to support an anti-gun agenda.

Lets cut to the chase. Armed citizens are as large, or greater, of a deterrent to criminals than police. My personal experience has shown that just the possibility of my being armed has dissuaded multiple attackers. Removing that threat against criminal activity and violence endangers lives. It is almost guaranteed that recent gun restrictions to law abiding citizens in California will lead to an increase in crime. Gun ban caused increases in crime are not an unforeseen consequence, they are negligence.

To add to the Empire State Building shooting controversy, Police Commissioner Ray Kelly stated, "Some (victims) may have been accidentally shot by police officers:"

The victim was Johnson's former coworker at Hazan Imports, where Johnson was a designer of women's accessories until being laid off last year.

As Johnson attempted to flee the scene, a construction worker across the street alerted two police officers, who pursued him up West 33rd Street, Kelly said. As Johnson pulled out a .45 caliber pistol, the officers opened fire, killing Johnson on the scene. It was unclear if Johnson managed to shoot a round.

Nine others were wounded or grazed in the exchange of gunfire, Kelly said. They were taken to local hospitals where they are expected to recover.

To wit, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Update: hat tip Fellow San Diego Local Order of Blogger member Temple of Mut:
Tulsa neighborhood sends a message to would be criminals and posts a sign stating "CONCEALED CARRY NEIGHBORHOOD"

Related Gun Grabber Update: In gun free zone Chicago 19 People were shot overnight across the city.