I have a different take on this. Assuming the guy is not otherwise a criminal and had no criminal intent to harm anyone.

The city of New York hates guns so much that they are willing to throw people in jail for three years just for carrying them. Many of us are trained to believe that most people who carry guns without permits or the legal right to do so are otherwise criminals, but in fact, many people are very much law abiding citizens who simply fear for their lives. A major celebrity like this has even better reason to fear for his life.

There was a law and he broke it and for that reason he should be treated like everyone else. At the very least, he was unsafe with his weapon and should be punished for that. But as a gun rights supporter, I have to seriously question the gun laws of New York and the outragious anti-gun laws that they have.

If this is a felon or had the ability to apply for a conceal permit and just didn't bother, I'd have a different take on the situation.

My other problem is with this idea that hospitals should report to the government about people being injured. People's medical records and injuries are not the business of the government and I don't believe hospitals should be required to report anything. If a crime was committed, the police can investigate the crime and as part of that investigation attempt to subpoena the medical information via a judge.

If we look at everything through this fear of criminals prism we are manipulated to view the world through, it's very easy to give up our rights in return for supposed safety. But it's time we put our rights first, or soon we aren't going to have any to defend.

This would be the libertarian in me talking. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />