
<a href="https://reason.com/2025/07/30/new-yorks-governor-blames-nevadas-weak-gun-laws-for-the-manhattan-mass-shooting/" target="_blank">View original image source</a>.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul is making headlines after the recent Manhattan mass shooting, and she’s pointing fingers at Nevada’s gun laws. She’s upset that a state known for its relaxed regulations allowed a shooter to obtain an AR-15-style rifle without the kind of scrutiny that’s the norm in New York. You know, it’s like having a no-fly zone next to a carnival with a bouncy castle and wishing those kids well while they bounce around—good luck with that!
As it turns out, the shooter, Shane Devon Tamura, had a documented mental health history that might have raised red flags. But in true bureaucratic fashion, he managed to pass through the loophole-laden system and get his hands on the weapon. Hochul argues that without tighter federal laws, New Yorkers face a real threat from easy access to firearms in adjoining states. Imagine a game of “whack-a-mole” but with gun control, and you might understand her frustration.
And while it’s easy to debate the merits of “red flag” laws in states like New York, there’s a glaring question: why is it so hard for law enforcement to keep guns out of the hands of those who clearly need help? Hochul’s passionate plea for a national assault weapons ban has drawn mixed reactions. What would it take for us to finally address this issue head-on? Let’s hear your thoughts!
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