NY Gov. Kathy Hochul BANS National Guard from wielding rifles at subway bag checks after complaints the city looked like a 'war zone'

New York governor Kathy Hochul has banned the National Guard from carrying rifles at bag check stations on the subway, after complaints they made the city looked like a 'war zone.'

The ban comes after the Democrat stationed 750 national guard members at the Big Apple's busiest stations in a bid to clamp down on the rampant violence rocking the network. 

It came into effect on Friday, after images of the servicemen holding the assault weapons started making the rounds online and sparking backlash that Hochul was militarizing the subway.

While the guards will no longer hold long guns at the check points, some guardsmen will still hold them at certain postings throughout the subway.

Hochul's decision follows criticism by city officials who took issue with the show of state force on the subway.

New York governor Kathy Hochul has banned the National Guard from carrying rifles at bag check stations on the subway, after complaints they made the city looked like a 'war zone'

The ban comes after the Democrat stationed 750 national guard members at the Big Apple's busiest stations in a bid to clamp down on the rampant violence 

NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell wrote on X: 'Our transit system is not a “war” zone!' 

NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell wrote on X: 'Our transit system is not a “war” zone! Bag checks have been around since 2005??? I have a solution. Let’s try this. 

'When we arrest recidivists we arraign, indict , prosecute and incarcerate.'

Meanwhile, police Commissioner Bernie Kerik said on X: 'This is all a farce! You’re going to harass law abiding citizens, and the thugs carrying a 40 cal, or 9 mm, walk right by you because they’re not carrying a bag! 

'Stop the theater! Repeal or eliminate bail reform, lock up the thugs and sentence to the max. The NYPD knows their job! Give them the tools and laws they need to do the job and we wouldn’t have this problem! 

'This isn’t brain surgery. We’ve done this before, and we did it better than anyone in the country. It can be done with the right leadership! Crime is up in New York, because the governor is scared to death to pi** off the radical left, endangering communities and endangering our cops!'

Hochul has partnered with Mayor Eric Adams, who announced he was bringing back bag checks for subway riders on Wednesday after a 13 percent crime spike.

Bag checks were first brought in on the subway following the 2005 London bombings.

Hochul has partnered with Mayor Eric Adams, who announced he was bringing back bag checks for subway riders on Wednesday after a 13 percent crime spike 

Subway crime has been on the rise of late, with 2023 showing the most subway assaults since 1996. Hochul (L), with State Police Acting Superintendent Steven James (C) and Adjutant General of the New York National Guard Major General Ray Shields (R)

The policy appears reminiscent of New York's previous stop-and-frisk searches on the street, which were ruled unconstitutional almost a decade ago.

'My No. 1 priority is the safety of all New Yorkers,' Hochul said.

'If people are anxious in any aspect of their lives, particularly the lifeblood of our region—downstate does not function without a healthy subway system that people have confidence in—I have to do this for them.'

Recent criminal activity on the trains making headlines include a cellist who was bludgeoned over the head by a stranger wielding a water bottle as he performed, as well as a shooting that killed one and injured five others.

Hochul further cited a subway conductor who had his throat slashed as among the 'fever' sweeping the transport system. The conductor survived thanks to the quick thinking of a doctor who was on board.

She also mentioned another MTA conductor who was hit on the head with a glass bottle as further evidence of the dire situation.

There will be 94 bag screening teams sent to 136 stations each week, though the exact locations will be determined. The city is also reviewing technology to detect metal objects entering the transit system.

Hochul was pressed on the five-point plan she announced on Wednesday aimed at tackling the spike violent subway crimes

The policy appears reminiscent of New York's previous stop-and-frisk searches on the street, which were ruled unconstitutional almost a decade ago 

Screening teams will be able to check bags of any passenger for weapons under the policy that has long been dormant.

The national guardsmen join an additional 1,000 cops stationed in subways by Adams following a 45 percent increase in major crimes in January compared to the same time last year.

Knives, box cutters, clubs and guns are reportedly among the weapons the NYPD is searching for.

Subway crime has been on the rise of late, with 2023 showing the most subway assaults since 1996. There have been three homicides on the rails to start the year, compared to none at this point last year.

The Transit Workers Union slammed their bosses at the MTA for failing to protect them.

'We stand ready to assist Local 100 as they confront this plague of violence - and transit executives who are either inept or indifferent to the harm inflicted on their own employees day and night,' said TWU President John Samuelsen.

'On workplace safety, the MTA has been an abysmal failure. Assaults against transit workers in the subway increased nearly 60 percent last year.'