New York state legislators have convened a special legislative session to carve out new gun laws in response to a recent United States Supreme Court decision.
On June 23, the Court ruled that state residents no longer had to show proper cause in order to receive a concealed carry permit for a firearm. Since that decision was handed down, officials may not require applicants to cite a specific reason for needing a handgun as a condition of license issuance.
Though the Court said it would be unconstitutional to ban guns in densely populated areas, it left in place the ability for officials to designate “sensitive places” in which an individual will be banned from carrying a firearm. So, in order to preserve as many restrictions as possible, legislators are now seeking to expand the list of “sensitive places,” which will have the impact of creating a de facto gun ban in New York.
The current list on sensitive places includes public transportation, schools, and hospitals.
“The state is responding in a very strong way to address the new risks created by the court, but in a way that fits into the framework the court has put forward about what a constitutional set of gun laws look like,” said David Pucino, deputy chief counsel for Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence.
New York is also looking to pass legislation to allow concealed weapons only in businesses that have signage saying they are welcome.
“We’re continuing to have serious discussions because the implications are hard to overstate. We want to ensure we are doing this in a constitutional way, in a way that comports with the court’s opinion,” said State Sen. Zellnor Myrie (D). “We’re just trying to close the loop on some details.”
Lawmakers are also considering requiring background checks for ammunition purchases, along with banning people from carrying a firearm within 1,000 feet of a public transit system, hospital, park, government building, school, church, cemetery, bank, theater, bar, court, library or homeless shelter — effectively, anywhere in New York.
“We are prepared to set an example that will lead the country as to: how do we fight back on this decision?” said New York Mayor Eric Adams. “We cannot allow New York to become the Wild West.”
Legislation released today would require concealed carry permit applicants to undergo 15 hours of in-person training at a gun range, an in-person interview, provide their social media accounts, provide contact information for household members, submit to monthly background checks, and renew their license every three years.
The bill would also allow officials to refuse permits for any individual who within the last five years has been convicted of driving while intoxicated, menacing or third-degree assault
