This week on the podcast, we’re discussing one of the many lawsuits currently trying to take down New York’s latest gun-carry restrictions.
Joining us on the show is Tzvi Waldman to discuss the New York State Jewish Gun Club’s challenge to the ban on guns in places of worship. He argued the law, which keeps even those who are licensed by the state and authorized by their faith leader to carry from doing so, is unconstitutional. And he said it puts worshipers at greater risk of attack.
Waldman said the law forces Jewish worshipers to choose between their First Amendment and Second Amendment rights. He noted the new restriction, which wasn’t part of the state’s previously-struck-down law, comes as antisemitism is on the rise. He said both threats and acts of violence against Jews have increased in recent months.
Ultimately, he said the group plans to fight this case all the way up to the Supreme Court if necessary.
He also talked at length about how the club has tried to destigmatize gun ownership for a lot of Jews. He said the Holocaust has served as both a catalyst for Jews to arm themselves and a reason many fear firearms. But Waldman’s group is trying to normalize gun ownership and provide a community for Jews who do decide to buy guns.
Plus, Contributing Writer Jake Fogleman and I explain the Third Circuit’s decision to uphold the non-violent felon gun ban.
You can listen to the show on your favorite podcasting app or by clicking here. Video of the show is also available on our YouTube channel. Members get early access to the show on Sunday, and it goes live for everybody else on Monday.
2 Responses
You presented a provocative presentation on the Jewish Community in NY. As a Jewish life member of JPFO, there is no man-made law that will force me to disarm. There is too much history that makes it clear that I will not follow the fate that was forced upon my ancestors..
That’s certainly understandable given the terrible history involved here.