In the wake of an attack on individuals celebrating Hanukkah at a rabbi’s home in Monsey, New York, many folks concerned about a rise in anti-Semitic attacks are calling for an overhaul of the state’s gun laws and a recognition of the right of self-defense for those increasingly targeted for their faith.

Maybe the cities where this keeps happening should give Jews access to all their constitutional rights.

— Seth Mandel (@SethAMandel) December 29, 2019

Personally, I think every city and state that refuses to recognize the actual right to keep and bear arms needs to get with the program. Jews should have access to all their constitutional rights, but so should Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, agnostics, atheists, and Pastafarians.

Really tired of seeing folks say “Jews should leave blue states and come where we have guns.” I too think we should be able to protect ourselves, but I also think Jews in the United States should be able to just live where they want, where generations have lived, in safety.

— Bethany S. Mandel (@bethanyshondark) December 29, 2019

No one should have to leave a state in order to exercise a constitutional right. The fact that it’s even an argument is a demonstration that the Second Amendment is treated as a privilege in places like New York and New Jersey. Bethany Mandel is right that it’s these states that need to change their laws, not residents who need to change their address.

Maybe it’s not time for more articles or speeches about what’s happening to Jews in NYC. Maybe it’s not even time for more cops. Maybe it’s time for the Jewish community under attack to make an example of a bad guy or two. Just a thought. https://t.co/KSxfIXDgWI

— Jesse Kelly (@JesseKellyDC) December 27, 2019

Of course, in the case Jesse Kelly cited, it would be nearly impossible for this mom in Brooklyn to obtain a concealed carry license to protect herself and her child while walking in her neighborhood. As retired NYPD Detective Rob O’Donnell noted on Twitter, however, we may very well see more members of the Jewish faith in New York attempt to exercise their rights.

I happened to be purchasing a firearm right after the Orlando club shooting. There were dozens of the LBGT community on line to complete their background checks that I was able to talk & give advice to. The Orthodox community is under attack & should look to defending themselves.

— Rob O’Donnell (@odonnell_r) December 29, 2019

Unfortunately, even if thousands of Jews in New York and New Jersey start the exhaustive process of trying to receive permission from the State to exercise their constitutional rights, the vast majority of them are going to get be told they don’t have “good cause” to carry a firearm for self-defense. Stephen Miller says it’s time to engage in acts of civil disobedience.

Carry guns and dare the state of New York to prosecute. The end.

— Stephen Miller (@redsteeze) December 29, 2019

I suspect that New York prosecutors would accept that dare and would absolutely prosecute those who carried for self-defense without a license. It’s already happening in Brooklyn, where the vast majority of defendants facing felony charges for possessing a gun without a license are individuals without any serious criminal history.

The obvious answer is for anti-gun politicians to recognize the fact that their policies are preventing people from exercising their right of self-defense as well as their rights to keep and bear arms.

Make no mistake, this epidemic of violent anti-Semitic attacks in NYC and NYS would not be happening if NY’ers could legally carry firearms.

Hasidic Jews are not anti-gun libs. Many would arm and defend themselves and their communities.

— John Cardillo (@johncardillo) December 29, 2019

Former NYPD officer John Cardillo is spot on, but it looks like New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is more interested in photo ops than allowing individuals to exercise their constitutional rights.

.@NYCMayor will be holding a press conference at the Grand Army Plaza Brooklyn Public Library at 4pm today to announce new measures to combat anti-semitism in NYC.

Immediately following he’ll join the community for the lighting of the world’s largest menorah.

— Freddi Goldstein (@FreddiGoldstein) December 29, 2019

We can work on changing hearts and minds, but that’s no excuse for politicians to continue depriving people of their right to protect themselves. As New York City’s mayor and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo pay lip service to the idea that they’re going to crack down on these anti-Semitic attacks, they’re callously creating these situations where individuals cannot hope to protect themselves once the attacks occur. Words of comfort aren’t enough. Recognizing the rights of residents would be a better place to start.