Non-Lethal Weapons

Before proceeding, note that neither my wife nor I are gun fanatics. We've both faced the business end of a firearm, so we know the terror a malicious gun-wielder can instill. Yet as psychologically traumatizing as those encounters were, we both realized the distaste we had toward guns only served to render us helpless in a city where violence is woefully common. With the above understood, please continue reading. Thank you.

⩤ The Beginning ⩥

A few years ago, my wife and I wrote the following to a manufacturer of non-lethal chemical delivery guns. I provide that correspondence here because it shows how desperate we are to be safe in a metropolitan area that prefers to turn a blind eye to violent criminal behavior while coercing its citizens into absolute defenseless through onerous, highly punitive anti-gun legislation.

Hello,

We are a married couple living in a city better known as America's Official Haven for Violent Criminals. Are your non-lethal pistols legal here? Would we need a permit? Would buying them give our elected officials and their criminal-loving cronies reason to prosecute us? 

Seriously, this city is out of control, and we are legitimately scared. We, and everyone we know, live in homes defended by layers of physical and electronic security. These include bars, reinforced doors, alarms, sensors, and other measures that should make us feel safe. Yet it's not enough.

We need to defend ourselves from criminals just as much as we need to defend ourselves from city prosecutors who prefer to ignore crime and the widespread possession of guns by criminals, even as they persecute lawful citizens who are wrongfully deprived of their Second Amendment rights and forced to defend themselves, their loved ones, and their property with mere pepper spray. 

So, again, please let us know if your products are approved for use by law-abiding residents in our location. There are many decent people here, and we are terrified. Thank you.

Regards,
(Our Names)

The company responded by pointing out that their devices, though gun-like in appearance, are allowed in our locale if a modification kit is used.  

However, we have since learned that New York City does not allow such devices—even though New York State permits them. That alone illustrates how dysfunctional New York City truly is!

Admittedly, we would prefer to buy a pair of Mossberg tactical shotguns and .45‑caliber handguns, especially since we have no criminal records. But here in the land where the Constitution is treated as an inconvenience, we are forced to contend with violent criminals by pointing them toward the nearest GUN FREE ZONE sign (which criminals ignore entirely but law‑abiding citizens are forced to obey) or by hoping they simply go away.

When I finally reach the finish line to my career, I will pull up stakes and move to a state where citizens have a fighting chance against crime, and where taxes don't place a disproportionate burden on its residents. That place exists, and its name is not New York State.

-RWARwriter

⩤ The End ⩥

Note: The above is an updated version
 of a deleted article I wrote on SpaceHey.