Hundreds of NYC bodega workers are now concealed carriers through 'secret society of gun owners'

Hundreds of New York City bodega workers have become concealed carriers — and they've done so through a "secret society of gun owners," WNYW-TV reported.

What are the details?

The United Bodegas of America on Sunday said the group formed a "secret society" for bodega workers and owners across New York City to legally obtain concealed carry licenses, the station said, adding that the UBA initiated things after the pandemic.

"Anyone that's out there looking to rob us, hurt us, kill us — beware," said UBA spokesperson Fernando Mateo, according to WNYW. "You may be walking into the wrong bodega because now we have the same firepower you have."

The station said the process took nearly two years because the bodega workers wanted it safe, legal — and secret, the station said. Specifically, criminals won't know which bodega workers are carrying concealed guns, WNYW noted.

Gun training courses are held at UBA headquarters in Inwood, WNYW said, adding that authorized instructors such as Johnny Nunez — a retired NYPD sergeant and former New York City police academy instructor — head them up.

"Having a firearm is a defensive tool," Nunez noted to the station. "It’s not an offensive tool. [It’s] to be used when your life or the life of another human is in – key words – imminent danger."

Cases in point:

• WNYW said 15-year-old Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz sought shelter in a Bronx bodega before Trinitarios gang members dragged him out and killed him in 2015.
• Readers of Blaze News will recall 61-year-old New York City deli worker Jose Alba who fatally stabbed an attacker in 2022, only to be thrown in jail before Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg finally dropped all charges against him.

"We are not out here to provoke any incidents," Mateo added to WNYW. "We're trained to de-escalate situations, but we are also trained to use a firearm if we have to."

Barbara Moreta is from the Dominican Republic and has owned a bodega since 2015, the station said, adding that she's thinking about applying for a concealed carry permit through the UBA.

"When they see a woman, they think they can do everything, but if I have my gun, I think it's better for the store," Moreta explained to WNYW. "And [if] some people ... come to do something bad, [they’ll be] scared."

The station said a 2022 Supreme Court ruling in the New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen case made it easier for the UBA to navigate obstacles that otherwise would make it difficult for members to get concealed carry licenses.

NYC bodega workers become legal gun owners through ‘secret society’youtu.be

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