Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez is making a bold call in response to two deadly bodega shootings that happened in the span of a week.

"I call for the city of New York to explore the possibility to allow the deli and bodega owners to go through the process to get a permit to have a weapon," said Rodriguez.

Rodriguez is asking the city to ease the process for deli and bodega owners to apply for gun licenses. However, those living in the neighborhood aren't so sure about the idea.

New York state has notoriously strict gun laws, particularly for newcomers to the country. On Wednesday, the Yemeni American Merchants Association said it does not support the council member's proposal.

The association has called for the city to install 'panic buttons' inside bodegas. In this case, they say they can hit the button which would quickly alert the police, something Rodriguez says he supports.

"We need to install it now," said Rodriguez.

Last Friday, 34-year-old Yehya Allontaserm was shot and killed while working at the B&A Gourmet Deli on Brooke Avenue in Mott Haven. Then, two days ago, 20-year-old Mohammed Qutaish was shot and killed while working at a deli on White Plains Road.

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A resident tells News 12 he would actually feel safer knowing bodega owners were armed. He also added that he thinks it would help deter more violence.

News 12 has reached out to Rodriguez's office for more details on the proposal and has not heard back yet.