Charles Foehner, a 65-year-old retired doorman from Queens, New York, is now facing legal issues after defending himself during a failed robbery, highlighting the complicated nature of U.S. gun laws and self-defense rights.
In the early hours of May 31, Foehner was approached by 32-year-old Cody Gonzalez, whose rap sheet contains at least 15 arrests dating back to 2004 and a history of mental illness. As seen on surveillance footage, Gonzalez accosted Foehner outside a parking garage on 82nd Avenue near Queens Boulevard in Kew Gardens. Despite Foehner pulling out his silver revolver, Gonzalez continued to advance, brandishing what Foehner believed to be a knife but later turned out to be a pen.
At this point, the confrontation escalated rapidly. Foehner fired multiple shots into Gonzalez’s chest. The assailant can be seen on camera desperately fleeing down the parking garage driveway before collapsing. He was declared dead at the scene. Following the shooting, Foehner dutifully called 911, informed them about the incident, and placed his firearm in his jacket pocket, waiting for the authorities.
The aftermath of this tragic encounter, however, has seen Foehner face potentially severe legal consequences. The Queens District Attorney’s Office has stated that Foehner is expected to face charges of criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a firearm. Further investigations revealed that Foehner possessed over two dozen weapons in his home, including pistols, shotguns, and an AK-47, despite being licensed for only five. This discovery has potentially compounded the charges Foehner faces.
God Bless 65 year old Mr Foehner for exercising his right to defend himself against a 30 something violent attacker! NYC politicians have absolutely no moral authority whatsoever to deny their citizens the right to defend themselves against violent attackers. Last year, the Supreme Court correctly shot down NYC’s completely immoral “may issue” law because it was unconstitutional. The video clearly shows that Foehner was backing away from the violent attacker. Obviously, Foehner’s “go to” was to back away. However, the violent criminal did not back away, at all. In fact, the video proves the violent criminal kept on threatening to attack Mr Foehner, by aggressively moving in closer to him. It was a completely justifiable use of force on the part of Mr Foehner. The fact that the violent criminal was holding a pen instead of a knife makes no difference. A pen wielded as a weapon can blind you, seriously maim you, or kill you, depending on where the tip of the pen lands on your body, such as your neck. Mr Foehner is a hero for defending himself – and for indirectly defending his community against future violence by this violent criminal!
I think this will become the norm as cities and states make it harder and more expensive for people to protect themselves, especially in high crime minority neighborhoods. Because Kathy Hochul wants to disarm New Yorkers doesn’t make the criminals harmless. Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness may involves self defense.