Urban Vigilantism and Gun Violence

This chapter examines a chilling subway shooting incident involving a vigilante and the ensuing chaos, as society grapples with the implications of self-defense and gun ownership. It highlights the polarized public reactions and media narratives surrounding the shooter and the teenagers, igniting a debate over race, crime, and vigilantism. Additionally, it discusses the influence of advocacy groups on gun legislation and the evolving perceptions of firearms in 1980s New York.