New York Governor Kathy Hochul has banned the National Guard from carrying long guns in NYC’s subway system bag check stations. Hochul’s abrupt change comes after several groups expressed their grievances with the guard’s presence in the subway. The Governor activated 750 National Guard and 250 MTA officers in New York City’s subways to combat a 46% increase in subway violence year-to-date. The National Guard and MTA police will conduct random back checks to which everyone who wishes to enter the subway must be subject. They are also a passive show of force outside their active crime-fighting measures.
SOURCES:
National Guard Can’t Carry Long Guns While Checking Bags in Subway – The New York Times
Hochul bans ‘long guns’ for National Guard troops deployed to NYC subway checkpoints
National Guard soldiers no longer carrying long guns at subway bag checks | amNewYork
National Guard won’t carry long guns during bag checks in NYC subways, Hochul says – Gothamist
NYC subway bag checkers ordered not to carry long guns – NBC New York
