Posted on 07/12/2007 2:40:42 PM PDT by ellery
New Yorkers, for the first time in nearly three decades, will be allowed to possess and use self-defense sprays like Chemical Mace under a law signed today by Gov. George E. Pataki, over the objections of New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and law enforcement officials across the state.
The new law brings New York into line with every other state by allowing people 18 and older to use a variety of pocket-size chemical sprays to repel, but not kill, an attacker.
Mr. Pataki said in a statement that the sprays would give average citizens a powerful new tool to protect themselves. "By legalizing self-defense sprays," he said, "we are empowering the people of New York with this safe and legal means of self-protection."
The Governor's decision drew guarded praise from advocates of victims' rights, who contend that such devices should be available to the public but should not give people a false sense of security.
Still, opponents of the law, including Mayor Giuliani and Police Commissioner Howard Safir, have expressed concerns that the sprays might fall into the hands of criminals or be misused by citizens who lack proper training. The Mayor had urged the Governor in recent weeks not to sign the legislation, arguing that releasing such powerful chemicals in congested areas like New York City could hurt bystanders, not just intended assailants.
"One only has to contemplate the danger of an inappropriate discharge of a self-defense spray in a crowded rush-hour subway car in order to imagine the potential for disaster contained in this bill," he wrote in a recent letter to Mr. Pataki.
Today, the Mayor expressed his disappointment with the Governor's decision. "Legalizing Mace is a mistake, particularly for New York City," he said in a statement.
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(Excerpt) Read more at query.nytimes.com ...
Rudy’s right on attitude.
He’s just too wrong, too often, on too many issues.
Too bad.
Yes, while still not perfect, a .45 ACP, .40 S&W or even 9 mm handgun is much better for defending oneself. A guy high on drugs will just shrug off the pepper spray. It'll only make him madder.
OTOH, some of the thugs from Mexico and other central American countries, and also Cajun Crooks, might be distracted when they look for their chips in order to take advantage of the free condiment.
No he's not. From the comments above, he obviously has the attitude that "the people" are too dumb to defend themselves, and must rely on the Nanny State to do it for them, even if it kills them.
I'm sure this attitude towards "the people" extends beyond the realm of self defense, into all sorts of other areas where he would feel the sheeple to stupid to do for themselves.
Welcome to graduate school
Welcome — you’re off to a fantastic start! :)
Giuliani never met an anti self defense measure he didn’t like.
I guess the 2nd Amendment doesn't apply in NY?
Screw living there.
Ping to folks on other Giuliani gun threads — more proof that Giuliani didn’t merely inherit gun laws that he would have opposed if he could, since he opposed even non-lethal methods of self-defense.
If Giuliani gets the nomination, it’s not going to be difficult for pretty much any donk to run to his right on self-defense issues.
A tear gas pen may have saved my life in 1981. I was still living in Manhattan then. On the Friday afternoon before Memorial Day weekend, I was home in my apartment when a burglar (junky) pried open the gate across the fire escape and came in my apartment.
A few months before I had bought a tear gas pen in Connecticut. As the punk was crawling under the grate I sprayed him in the face really good several times from a distance of about three feet. It slowed him down enough that I was then able to run out my apartment door and downstairs. He followed me down to the sidewalk as fast as he could. He stood on the sidewalk cursing me and threatening me with the crowbar he had used to get in. I was able to spray him a couple of more times directly in the eyes from a distance of about 10 feet. Then he took off running.
When the cops finally came they acted like they didn’t hear me when I told them about the tear gas pen. The passage of this bill will probably save many lives.
You are right. Most Donks can run to his right. But ...since Rooty is already a jack ass and isn’t even sure if he can believe himself, he will always adjust.
Only an ostrich would believe him.
Man, you just joined and you already have his name spelled correctly!
Welcome to FR.
This guy is an absolute control freak! He deserves no position in government!
Hey, Rudy! It ain't your job to deprive citizens of their right to defend themselves!
Comprehensive List of Handguns *NOT* Outlawed by Mayor Rudy Giuliani
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1806614/posts
BFD
BTTT
So, it's been about ten years. Hey rudy, has your predictions come true?
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