Increase in Jews Applying for Weapons Licenses Amid Fears Of Mamdani Administration

Jewish residents across New York City are rushing to purchase firearms, saying they feel threatened as anti-Israel politician Zohran Mamdani prepares to become mayor.

Michael Bergida, who recently opened Samson Armory in Marine Park, Brooklyn — named for Shimshon Hagibor — said business has surged since the election.

“We’re probably the only gun store to have a minyan,” the 30-year-old frum owner told the New York Post.

Bergida warned that he expects “chaos” under the incoming mayor, who he described as a radical socialist.

“The NYPD is all retiring – we have to fight for ourselves. People are freaking out over Mamdani – anyone who has any Christian-Judeo values,” he said.

Bergida added that most licensed gun owners he sees are Jewish.

As an NRA-certified instructor, Bergida said he is coordinating with synagogues to prepare for “active shooter situations.”

“It’s like doomsday prepping – people are loading up ammo,” he said. “I have a passion to prep Jews.”

Despite the fears, he insists he is staying put.

“We ain’t fleeing— we’re here to stay. We’re not victims anymore.”

Other gun instructors and shop owners said the rush began immediately after Mamdani’s victory was announced.

“It’s getting busy because of him,” said gun safety instructor Lance Dashefsky.

NYPD data shows concealed carry permit requests rose from 620 in June — when Mamdani won the Democratic primary — to 706 in August, a 14% increase.

The application process can take up to a year, and applicants must attend a mandatory concealed-carry course with classroom instruction and live fire training.

Dashefsky, 57, who serves mostly Jewish customers, even provides bagels and lox during his Sunday classes.

“I always ask people in class why they want a gun,” he said. “And now the answer is Mamdani.”

Brooklyn firearms instructor Ross Den said anyone previously unsure about carrying a weapon is now committing to it.

He said Jewish professionals across the spectrum — from doctors to plumbers to rabbis — are now training.

“There are plenty of rabbis who carry – shul is where the greatest threat is,” Den said. “People are beginning to wake up and are now realizing they have to defend themselves and not rely on the cavalry to come save them.”

Den noted that carrying a concealed weapon in synagogue is legal if the person is a designated security volunteer.

Mamdani, who founded a Students for Justice in Palestine chapter and supports the BDS movement, once claimed that “when the boot of the NYPD is on your neck, it’s been laced by the IDF.”

He has refused to acknowledge Israel’s right to exist and has vowed to have the Israeli prime minister arrested if he enters New York.