Skip to Content
Streetsblog Empire State home
Streetsblog Empire State home
Log In
Kathy Hochul

Monday’s Headlines: Gun Control in the Subway Edition

12:04 AM EDT on March 11, 2024

    National Guard personnel are now in the subways checking bags.

    The big news yesterday was that Gov. Hochul disarmed the National Guard of its long assault weapons when they're doing bag checks in a handful of subway stations.

    All the papers — NYDN, NY Post, NY Times, amNY, Gothamist — covered the news, and Gothamist also did a Q&A with a policing expert about what we can and can't expect from all this searching of bags.

    Before the news of the long-gun ban, Crain's editorialized against the deployment anyway. And the Guardian asked how this could even be legal (it is, mostly because you can refuse, as the Times pointed out in its explainer last week).

    Nobody really thinks opening a tiny number of bags at a tiny number of stations is going to do any good, as Hell Gate reported. That outlet's headline on it's story last week on Hochul's announcement said everything you need to know: "Hochul Is Sending the National Guard Into the Subway to Search Your Bag Because of Vibes."

    In other news:

    • It's going to be very windy today. (Gothamist)
    • Streetsblog contributor Charles Komanoff called out the Transit Workers Union for its waning support for congestion pricing:
    • Patch did a good job with a first pass on the trucking company whose dump truck has now been connected to two fatal crashes since October. We're digging deeper and will have more soon.
    • The Adams administration wants to rezone part of Midtown to spur residential development. (Crain's)
    • The NYPD is still spooning puff pieces to amNY.
    • Newsday woke up to the danger of SUVs.
    • Cops made a speedy arrest in last week's hit-and-run on Canal Street. (NYDN)
    • It's not you — there does seem to be more dogs on the subway lately. (Gothamist)
    • And, finally, it's great to hear a governor — a Republican, no less! — talking like North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum does in this clip. It's like he's auditioning to replace Naparstek on "The War on Cars."
    https://twitter.com/henrygrabar/status/1766956727604310324?s=20

    Stay in touch

    Sign up for our free newsletter

    More from Streetsblog Empire State

    Friday Headlines: 205 Million Reasons To Be Happy

    Stopping New York's transportation goals is harder than it looks. Plus more news.

    February 13, 2026

    Talking Headways Podcast: Concrete Doesn’t Spend Money, People Do

    Dr. Lawrence Frank shows how the decisions we make about the built environment are a symbol of why the world is so f'd up. A very special edition of Talking Headways.

    February 12, 2026

    NYC Mayor Mamdani Pitches Free Buses (Cheap!) Plus Other Transportation Needs on ‘Tin Cup’ Day

    Mamdani gave his former colleagues in state government a glimpse of his thinking on transportation and city operations, and hopes they can send more cash his city's way.

    February 12, 2026

    Thursday Headlines: Is Your Tin Cup Full Edition

    Tin Cup day for many mayors is basically like returning to your alma mater for alumni weekend, except you're asking them for money. And more news.

    February 12, 2026

    ‘Everyone’s At Fault’: NYC Government Pointing Fingers Over Lowering Speed Limits

    The mayor and the City Council are using the "art of deflection" to keep the status quo instead of lowering the speed limit to a safer 20 miles per hour.

    February 12, 2026

    More Troubles for Fly E-Bike: Feds Order Costly Moped Recall

    Federal officials have ordered Fly E-Bike to recall all Fly 10 mopeds, the latest troubles for the micromobility company.

    February 11, 2026
    See all posts