Taxi Drivers, Gun Violence and a Call for Change

mrreynolds · September 3rd, 2008, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Four recent crimes drove Councilman Joseph Addabbo, Mothers Against Guns (MAG), the New York Taxi Workers Alliance, and a victimized cab driver named Enois Melbranche to denounce the outbreak of violence and call for tougher gun restrictions.

Melbranche was shot in the face while driving his cab in Bedford-Stuyvesant right after picking up three young women on Lafayette and Franklin avenues on August 7. The 62-year-old Haitian immigrant had been driving a cab for nearly a decade before the incident occurred.

When he was treated at Kings County Hospital doctors said he might never drive again. To date only one girl, April Pierce, 19, has been charged in the shooting. She was charged with attempted murder, robbery and criminal use of a firearm.

The reign of gun violence did not end there for the month of August. On the 22nd, another cab driver was shot in the face while driving a taxi in Elmhurst. On the 25th, a woman was robbed and raped at gunpoint in Ozone Park. And on the 27th, another cab driver was shot in the Bronx.

Those who gathered last week argued that this frightful bloodshed continues due to lax state gun laws in New York.

Addabbo, who is making a Senate run against Serphin Maltese, said that more has to be done to protect society-at-large.

“It is just plain wrong that New York State does not have stronger laws in place to protect our families and loved ones from illegal guns and persistent gun violence,” said the councilman.

In addition, Addabbo stated that the mayor has nonetheless made great strides when it comes to gun restrictions, but progress still has to be made.

“I applaud Mayor Bloomberg’s outstanding efforts to free New York City streets of illegal guns purchased out of state, but we need to do more here in New York State,” he said.

Due to the feverish rally of brutality against New York City taxi drivers, Bhairavi Desai, executive director of the New York Taxi Workers Alliance, spoke about how high risk of a job driving a cab has become.

Representing 11,000 drivers, he highlighted the fear brought on by recent events and pushed for more security.

“Taxi drivers are on the front lines of violence everyday, and this month has been one of the bloodiest,” Desai said.

“The State Senate has repeatedly failed to support comprehensive legislation to limit gun violence to the direct detriment of hardworking people. Recent events are further proof that we need stricter gun control laws now.”

It has been reported that almost 60 percent of guns used in crimes originate from just one percent of gun dealers. Many legal guns make their way into the illegal market by way of straw purchases – individuals who by guns legally and resell them to people who would otherwise not be able to buy them, including children.

The president of MAG urged leaders to act before the epidemic spreads.

“Gun violence is an unnecessary evil that destroys the lives of so many in our society and unless common senses state and federal legislation is enacted we will continue to see the flow of blood in the streets of our communities,” she said.

Every year the Brady Campaign issues a legislative scorecard, and New York scored a 51 out of a possible 100 points.

“We want to keep our communities safe and supportive places for people to raise their families, yet recent gun violence is a serious obstacle to that goal,” lamented Addabbo. “I support the right to bare arms as guaranteed by the 2nd Amendment of the United States Constitution, but there have to be limits.”

ARTICLE

PaulJ · September 3rd, 2008, 05:34 PM

- If indeed 60% of the gun-violence can be traced to 1% of the dealers, then lets go after that 1%, not the remaining 99%.

- last time I checked, a straw purchase was already illegal.

- it would be nice if cab drivers would adopt credit cards more aggresively. I recently visited Philadelphia, and cabs had credit card readers in the back. The driver strongly suggested that I pay cash as it costs him 3% to use the CC reader (and well, maybe more in money he can't hide from the tax man).

Reborn · September 3rd, 2008, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulJ

- If indeed 60% of the gun-violence can be traced to 1% of the dealers, then lets go after that 1%, not the remaining 99%.

Excuse me but would that be logical........they want political correctness not logic........

mrreynolds · September 3rd, 2008, 05:50 PM

What annoys me the most being that I live in NYC is the victims "never" want to increase the laws which would allow them to protect themselves. Access to carry permits for New Yorkers.

A law can not stop a crime the breaking of it can only be the basis of a prosecution.

PaulJ · September 3rd, 2008, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrreynolds

What annoys me the most being that I live in NYC is the victims "never" want to increase the laws which would allow them to protect themselves. Access to carry permits for New Yorkers.

A law can not stop a crime the breaking of it can only be the basis of a prosecution.

but would illegal aliens be allowed to carry ;-) we are talking NYC cab drivers.

press1280 · September 3rd, 2008, 06:22 PM

“We want to keep our communities safe and supportive places for people to raise their families, yet recent gun violence is a serious obstacle to that goal,” lamented Addabbo. “I support the right to bare arms as guaranteed by the 2nd Amendment of the United States Constitution, but there have to be limits.”
Yeah, and I'll bet the person that shot this guy was an upstanding member of society.

Macattack · September 3rd, 2008, 07:20 PM

It even said the shooter of one was a 19 year old girl. She had no right to carry a gun. Every one of these shootings were carried out by bad people illegally carrying an illegal or black market firearm. How can tougher gun laws slow down crime that is already a crime. So its MORE illegal?

I swear some people are morons. Resonsible gun owners and ccw holders do not commit crimes, criminals do. Stop treating the good guys like criminals!
-mac

obxned · September 3rd, 2008, 11:32 PM

I thought armed robbery and attempted murder were already illegal in NYC. How is yet another law going to stop such activities?

retsupt99 · September 4th, 2008, 01:31 AM

99% of the idiot gun-grabbers...make the other 1% look bad.

The Fish · September 4th, 2008, 03:07 PM

[quote=mrreynolds;835317]What annoys me the most being that I live in NYC is the victims "never" want to increase the laws which would allow them to protect themselves. Access to carry permits for New Yorkers.

As a former New Yorker,I am well aware of how dangerous driving a cab is.
"Bullet proof" dividers have helped somewhat.

The "victims" don't think in terms of changing the NYC gun laws because they have been in effect for a VERY long time.(Since the 20's or 30's).
They still don't get it;After 70 years of gun restrictions,the bad guys still have guns,so how about arming the good guys?

As a long time liberal,this one thing that drives me CRAZY about the anti-gun politicians.

By the way,licensed cabbies have to be legal immigrants since they go through a backround check.

I'm certainly not ready to allow illegals to legally buy guns.

September 3rd, 2008, 05:34 PM	#2
PaulJ Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 343	- If indeed 60% of the gun-violence can be traced to 1% of the dealers, then lets go after that 1%, not the remaining 99%. - last time I checked, a straw purchase was already illegal. - it would be nice if cab drivers would adopt credit cards more aggresively. I recently visited Philadelphia, and cabs had credit card readers in the back. The driver strongly suggested that I pay cash as it costs him 3% to use the CC reader (and well, maybe more in money he can't hide from the tax man). __________________ I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend. (Thomas Jefferson)

September 3rd, 2008, 05:50 PM	#4
mrreynolds Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Harlem, NY Posts: 348	What annoys me the most being that I live in NYC is the victims "never" want to increase the laws which would allow them to protect themselves. Access to carry permits for New Yorkers. A law can not stop a crime the breaking of it can only be the basis of a prosecution. __________________ www.SmallArmz.info - Harlem, NYC I Can't Carry Here But I'm A Member Of The NRA. Are You? Impact Guns / U.S. Concealed Carry SAF,GOA,NYSPRA,NRA Life,Pro-Gun NH

September 3rd, 2008, 06:22 PM	#6
press1280 Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: WV Posts: 369	“We want to keep our communities safe and supportive places for people to raise their families, yet recent gun violence is a serious obstacle to that goal,” lamented Addabbo. “I support the right to bare arms as guaranteed by the 2nd Amendment of the United States Constitution, but there have to be limits.” Yeah, and I'll bet the person that shot this guy was an upstanding member of society. __________________ And if the cabin door of the freedman is broken open and the intruder enters for purposes as vile as were known to slavery, then should a well-loaded musket be in the hand of the occupant to send the polluted wretch to another world, where his wretchedness will forever remain complete

September 3rd, 2008, 07:20 PM	#7
Macattack Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Rainy ol' Seattle, WA Posts: 350	It even said the shooter of one was a 19 year old girl. She had no right to carry a gun. Every one of these shootings were carried out by bad people illegally carrying an illegal or black market firearm. How can tougher gun laws slow down crime that is already a crime. So its MORE illegal? I swear some people are morons. Resonsible gun owners and ccw holders do not commit crimes, criminals do. Stop treating the good guys like criminals! -mac __________________ Fuer Grissa Ost Drauka (Let's Dance) "Every man has a right to risk his own life for the preservation of it." -Jean-Jacques Rousseau "Despite the high cost of living, it remains very popular."

September 3rd, 2008, 11:32 PM	#8
obxned Distinguished Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: OBX, NC Posts: 1,736	I thought armed robbery and attempted murder were already illegal in NYC. How is yet another law going to stop such activities? __________________ http://www.obxammo.com/ There is only one gun law in this country, the 2nd Amendment. All else is bureaucratic nonsense that I choose to comply with or not at my discretion. When governments make laws, they must consider the unintended consequences.

September 4th, 2008, 01:31 AM	#9
retsupt99 VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 14,605	99% of the idiot gun-grabbers...make the other 1% look bad. __________________ "That I cannot do." "Give this to, uh, Clemenza. I want reliable people, people who aren't going to be carried away. After all we're not murderers in spite of what this undertaker thinks." *********************************** NRA Life Member

September 4th, 2008, 03:07 PM	#10
The Fish Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: West Palm Beach, Florida Posts: 113	[quote=mrreynolds;835317]What annoys me the most being that I live in NYC is the victims "never" want to increase the laws which would allow them to protect themselves. Access to carry permits for New Yorkers. As a former New Yorker,I am well aware of how dangerous driving a cab is. "Bullet proof" dividers have helped somewhat. The "victims" don't think in terms of changing the NYC gun laws because they have been in effect for a VERY long time.(Since the 20's or 30's). They still don't get it;After 70 years of gun restrictions,the bad guys still have guns,so how about arming the good guys? As a long time liberal,this one thing that drives me CRAZY about the anti-gun politicians. By the way,licensed cabbies have to be legal immigrants since they go through a backround check. I'm certainly not ready to allow illegals to legally buy guns. __________________ You have to ask me NICELY. M&P 9mm M&P9c Browning Buckmark (The Big Gun For The BIG Gunfights)

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