This petition is to help protect the people in the high crime city of New York. How are civilians suppose to defend themselves from criminals, when these "politicians" make self defense illegal. Pepper spray for example is very restricted. How can I or others safely conduct business when I can't even drive through certain areas because I'm completely defenseless. It's absolutely ridiculous that something like pepper spray is that tightly restricted by the law. People in New York should be allowed to carry a less than lethal self defense that will effectively allow them to protect themselves. There are many civilian industries that work to protect and serve the city of New York's communities and properties, in which these have these so called "politicians" are making it extremely difficult for NYC's population to protect themselves. A list of industries that need this self defense equipment include, private security firms, bodyguards, taxi drivers, fugitive recovery agents, and even those politicians themselves who are suppressing people's ability to defend themselves. 9/11 should be reason for civilians to be able to defend themselves even more in case of hostile forces foreign or domestic that may attack. Why do these "politicians" feel the need to hire their own private army of armed guards, but let the rest of these civilians become completely defenseless for their incoherent and ridiculous ideology. I believe because of how extremely stringent laws are becoming in New York that it will have a large domino effect of rallies and protests if things don't change. And what happens when rallies and protests occur? They have to spend even more money to send police forces down there to maintain order which uses money and resources that could have been put to good use all because these once again "politicians" feel the need to experience the feeling of control and power rather than what's right for the nation; this is not a fact but it's how the display themselves with these actions of there's. The United States is a free country, freedom of speech, the right to bear arms, the freedom of movement and so on. So why is N.Y starting to feel like a communist country? As a 4.0 criminal justice student, I find it absolutely absurd that these politicians are risking the lives of millions of civilians and using resources we could have put to better use by restricting something like pepper spray or handheld stun guns. I hope we all can come to an agreement to protect the civilians of New York City and allow this nation to grow larger, better, and safer.