To me, the "Stop & Frisk" practice taking place in NY represents a compromise between enforcing Fourth Amendment rights and reduce gang violence. I have no doubts that “Stop & Frisk” violates the Fourth Amendment and unfairly targets minorities for the potential embarrassment, harassment, intimidation, etc. of an unwarranted search, but I also believe that it reduces gang-related homicides, which are heavily skewed towards minority victims.

It's worth noting that in briefly detaining someone without probable cause, the NYPD is relying on a supreme court ruling from 1968 [0], but only recently have they fully utilized these rights.

NYC requires a permit for carrying a handgun, and part of the permit process is to pass a background check. I can’t think of any good reasons why someone would be carrying an unlicensed handgun in NYC, unless they’re a gang-member.

I support the "Stop & Frisk" practice for finding concealed weapons on individuals that shouldn't have them, for all other cases (drugs, etc.) it is not in society's best interest.

[0] http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/historics/USSC_CR_0392...