Two thugs in Newark failed miserably in their target selection game Thursday night, singling out a 43-year-old woman who retired from the NYPD nine months ago, and who happened to be armed.

A woman who retired from the New York Police Department nine months ago shot two city men when they attempted to rob her Thursday night, Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said.

The 43-year-old woman, whose name was not disclosed, was getting into her car at Commerce Street and McCarter Highway around 9:30 p.m. when she was approached by the two men, who demanded money at gunpoint, Ambrose said.

The woman, who retired as a detective from the NYPD, fired her gun at the two men, who fled from the scene after being hit. The men, aged 23 and 27, were caught by police and taken to University Hospital for treatment of their wounds, which were not considered life-threatening.

There are precious few “Guns Saving Lives” stories from New Jersey, for the simple reason that the government of New Jersey told subjects there (they are not treated as citizens) that they don’t have the human right to bear arms in self defense. The subjects accepted their laws, ceded their rights, and New Jersey concealed carry permits issued to non-officers are as rare as unicorns.

We’re glad that these two criminals are off the street, but wish all New Jersey citizens had the practical right to bear arms, and not just a favored few in protected classes.