By Dave Workman
Editor-in-Chief
The election of Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani as New York City’s next mayor already had the earmarks of a tectonic cultural shift, but news reports that many in the city’s Jewish population are arming themselves in advance of his taking office is raising eyebrows and blood pressures.
The New York Post is reporting that business is booming—no pun intended—at a Brooklyn gun shop called Samson Armory. Firearms instructors are seeing a spike in gun course interest, and the newspaper also said New York Police data shows a 14 percent rise in carry permit applications from June to August.
The Post quoted one firearms instructor who said many people taking the class say Mamdani’s election is the reason for their interest.
Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership (JPFO) issued a news release noting how New York City’s Jewish population “has never historically provided strong support for the right to keep and bear arms, despite the fact that a significant number of leaders in the gun rights movement are of Jewish heritage.
“In addition,” JPFO said, “gun ownership is prevalent in Israel, especially since the October 7 attack. But in New York City, that scenario is changing. JFPO doesn’t view this as an exercise of hypocrisy, but rather a dramatic onset of common sense.”
The Times of Israel is reporting how Jewish gun owners, firearms instructors and security professionals in the city are witnessing a major surge in demand for firearms training, and applications for concealed carry permits. Anti-Semitic rhetoric has led to increased violence against Jews across the United States.
According to the Post article, “election analysis by district shows that Hasidic strongholds such as Borough Park and Crown Heights voted overwhelmingly for former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, 88% and 75% respectively. Israelis living in NYC are especially on guard…”
The Times of Israel wrote, “A group of over 1,000 rabbis and cantors from across the United States signed onto a letter voicing their opposition to Mamdani and the ‘political normalization’ of anti-Zionism ahead of the election, citing his defense of the phrase ‘Globalize the Intifada,’ which he has since said he would ‘discourage’; his refusal to acknowledge Israel’s existence as a Jewish state; and his repeated accusations against Israel of genocide in Gaza. Mamdani has also vowed to arrest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visits New York.”
Mamdani will assume office on Jan. 1, 2026.
