By John McClaughry

New York City makes it almost impossible to get a permit to carry a firearm for self-protection. Here’s what TV journalist John Stossel had to do when he applied.

Stossel concludes, “Scams like that thrive whenever politicians impose too many restrictions on people’s freedom. In parts of California, people got gun permits if they donated to a sheriff’s campaign.”

First, he says, “I had to read 60 pages of instructions about irrelevant things like ‘metal knuckle knives’ and ‘kung fu stars,’ fill out a confusing 17-page form, get it notarized, and then go in person to police headquarters. There they fingerprinted me, demanded reasons why I should be allowed to have a gun, and charged me $430.”

“I heard nothing from them for half a year. Then they wrote me saying that my application was ‘denied.’ I called to ask if I could appeal. They said I could try again if I could prove that ‘special need’ to carry a gun. After years of confronting crooks on TV, I actually do have a special need for self-protection. I showed the cops threats on my life.”

“Not good enough, said the NYC permit department. They turned me down again.”

“Apparently, my mistake was not bribing the cops. Later it was revealed that the police in the permit department were giving out permits for money.”

Stossel concludes, “Scams like that thrive whenever politicians impose too many restrictions on people’s freedom. In parts of California, people got gun permits if they donated to a sheriff’s campaign.”

Stossel thinks the U.S. Supreme Court will strike this down. I certainly hope so.

John McClaughry is vice president of the Ethan Allen Institute. Reprinted with permission from the Ethan Allen Institute Blog.