A small community on Long Island, NY, has enacted a controversial law that completely bans the sale of guns and ammunition within its limits. Babylon Village, home to about 12,000 residents, passed the measure at a village board meeting last month.
Mayor Mary Adams defended the decision as a matter of public safety, stating, “Good people carry guns and so do bad people, and I’m not going to take that chance. I’ve got to protect the kids and the families here.”
The move has been met with mixed reactions, with gun rights advocates calling it an unnecessary restriction on Second Amendment rights.
Gun Shops Now Forbidden in the Village
The law prohibits any retailer from selling firearms, ammunition, or even explosives within the village. However, it does make one notable exception: two annual gun shows held at the American Legion Hall will still be allowed. This means that residents looking to purchase firearms must now travel outside the village to do so. According to Newsday’s Virginia Huie, the closest gun store to Babylon Village is Guardian Guns & Ammo in Deer Park, which is currently the only gun shop operating within the broader Town of Babylon.
Local Gun Shop Owner Expresses Concerns
Matthew Seifer, the owner of Guardian Guns & Ammo, told Newsday that while he understands the village’s decision, he believes it limits consumers’ choices and the ability for new businesses to enter the market. “It does limit the availability of one who were to get into the business of selling firearms and ammunition,” he explained.
His shop had to go through a rigorous approval process just to operate in Babylon Town, including obtaining a special exception permit from the zoning board of appeals. Now, with this new village-wide ban, any future gun retailers are essentially locked out of the area.
Mayor: “Go Purchase a Gun Somewhere Else”
Mayor Adams made it clear that the ban was not in response to a specific business attempting to open within the village. Speaking to Newsday, she stated, “We just thought it was in the best interest to put something in place.”
Adams dismissed concerns about restricting gun rights, arguing that people can simply buy guns elsewhere. “Go purchase a gun somewhere else. I just don’t want a store in the downtown selling them,” she said. For some residents, this statement reflects a misunderstanding of Second Amendment rights, which protect not just gun ownership but also the commerce surrounding it.
Gun Rights Advocates Push Back
Gun rights supporters have strongly criticized the measure, arguing that it sets a dangerous precedent. In an article for Bearing Arms, writer Cam Edwards called the move “virtue signaling” rather than a legitimate safety measure. “By making it harder for responsible adults to exercise their right to keep and bear arms, Adams and the other officials who voted for the ban aren’t protecting these families,” he wrote.
Edwards pointed out that purchasing a gun in New York is already a difficult process, requiring extensive background checks and a restrictive permitting system. Adding a local ban, he argues, serves no real purpose beyond demonstrating hostility toward gun ownership.
Comparisons to Drug Dealers?
In her video, Liberty Doll, a YouTuber known for her gun rights commentary, noted that some village officials even compared gun shops to illegal drug operations. “Officials claim that these new laws are needed to keep residents safe,” she reported, before pointing out that Babylon Village has an extremely low crime rate.
The comparison between legal gun retailers and criminal drug dealers, she argues, is absurd and shows a deep misunderstanding of firearms commerce. “Everything that’s happening in a gun store is legal. I don’t know why they’re so frightened,” she said, echoing the sentiment of gun advocates who see the ban as an emotional reaction rather than a policy based on facts.
A History of Second Amendment Restrictions
New York has long been a battleground for gun control debates. The state’s strict permitting laws led to the landmark Bruen decision by the Supreme Court, which struck down the state’s discretionary carry permit system. Despite this, Liberty Doll noted that New York has continued to implement restrictive measures, often finding ways to work around legal challenges. The Babylon Village ban, she suggests, is just the latest example of local governments attempting to suppress gun rights without outright banning ownership.
The Legal Standing of the Ban
The legality of the ban could come into question if challenged in court. As Bearing Arms’ Cam Edwards pointed out, the federal courts have previously ruled that the First Amendment protects the right to both buy and sell books, and some legal scholars argue that the Second Amendment should be interpreted the same way. “The right to engage in firearms commerce is clear,” he wrote, citing historical precedent dating back to the American Revolution.
However, he also noted that the courts have been inconsistent on this issue, making it uncertain whether Babylon’s ordinance would survive legal scrutiny.
Residents React with Mixed Opinions
Local residents have expressed a range of reactions to the new ban. One longtime resident, John Taylor, told Newsday that he wasn’t personally affected by the law. “I wasn’t that offended by the law ’cause you can buy your guns where you need to. As long as you have the right to own them, that’s fine,” he said. Others, like Judy Pinnella, supported the measure for personal reasons. Pinnella, whose son was murdered in Las Vegas, told Newsday that she is staunchly anti-gun. “Too many people have guns,” she stated.
Gun Show Future Uncertain
One unintended consequence of the new law may be its effect on local gun shows. Bearing Arms reported that the Caribou Rifle & Pistol Club had been working with organizers to add more shows in Babylon Village, but that plan is now in jeopardy.
Club President Rory Vazquez expressed frustration with the law, arguing that gun shows provide an important space for legal firearm enthusiasts. “It is a lost opportunity for us,” he said. “There are gun shops everywhere in the country, and you don’t see crime happening in a gun store. I don’t know why they’re so frightened.”
A Dangerous Precedent?
Gun rights activists fear that if Babylon Village’s ban stands unchallenged, other towns may follow suit. Liberty Doll pointed out that similar measures have been proposed in places like California, but public backlash often forces officials to reconsider. The concern is that if small towns like Babylon Village start implementing outright bans on gun sales, it could encourage larger cities and counties to do the same, gradually eroding Second Amendment protections across the country.
What Comes Next?
As of now, there are no legal challenges filed against the Babylon Village ban, but many gun rights organizations will likely be watching closely. If an FFL (Federal Firearms Licensee) were to challenge the law in court, it could become a significant Second Amendment case. For now, residents of Babylon Village who want to purchase firearms or ammunition will simply have to take the mayor’s advice and “go somewhere else.” Whether or not that reasoning holds up in court remains to be seen.
A former park ranger and wildlife conservationist, Lisa’s passion for survival started with her deep connection to nature. Raised on a small farm in northern Wisconsin, she learned how to grow her own food, raise livestock, and live off the land. Lisa writes about homesteading, natural remedies, and survival strategies. Whether it’s canning vegetables or setting up a rainwater harvesting system, Lisa’s goal is to help others live more sustainably and prepare for the unexpected.