They probably think their being passively aggressive towards the Supreme Court decision
NYC’s iconic Times Square among ‘sensitive locations’ where guns to be banned in New York
The Crossroads of the World is among the “sensitive places” where guns could be banned as lawmakers seek to strengthen New York’s gun laws in response to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling overturning a century-old concealed carry law.
New York’s Democrat-controlled Legislature is poised Friday to approve sweeping new firearm restrictions that would bar carrying concealed weapons in a host of places including Times Square as well as subways, buses, government buildings, houses of worship, schools, libraries, playgrounds, parks and zoos, homeless shelters and polling places.
Gov. Kathy Hochul called the Legislature back to Albany for an “extraordinary session” on Thursday to respond to last week’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling striking down a long-standing law limiting who can carry a concealed handgun in public.
The statute required gun owners to demonstrate “proper cause” to get a license to carry a handgun in public, which the conservative majority on the court determined to be unconstitutional.
Under the new legislation released by the governor’s office around 3 a.m., guns will be barred from “sensitive places” such as Times Square and mass transit and firearms will not be allowed in private businesses unless owners explicitly state that they welcome firearms on their property.
Businesses will have to post a sign indicating that armed patrons are welcome.
Quite a few states with concealed carry ban permit holders from many of the same places. Here in NC cannot carry in schools, government buildings. Some states will ban in churches and zoos and parks, counties will often ban at libraries, cities may ban in parks and certain places. So, NY is going just a little bit further than most. One would think that the subway is a place where people really need CCW to protect themselves from all the criminality. Same with many parks.
The big one is that private businesses must post their intent to allow CCW holders to enter while carrying. Because most won’t bother, mostly because most won’t know the rule. In most states private companies must post if you may not carry in the business. So, this NY law will mean concealed carry will be banned in most businesses across the entire state. Those few who are truly paying attention will post a “sure, go ahead and carry” sign, if they are gun rights supporters. Most won’t have any idea. Which means that CCW holders, who tend to be law abiding, won’t carry often because they cannot bring it anywhere. In a city like Albany they can at least lock it in a car. In NYC, they won’t usually have that ability, so, it will stay at home.
Might we see a new lawsuit based on the sign issue? You bet. The Supreme Court may have killed off the rule about proper cause, but, this law would make it almost impossible to conceal carry anywhere. What if they consider one of the big lakes a “park”? Can’t carry on your own boat. This could be more restrictive than before
The bill will also overhaul the state’s permitting process by requiring applicants to undergo 15 hours of in-person training at a firing range and an in-person interview. They must also provide their social media accounts and contact information for household members.
Licenses will have to be renewed after three years and an appeals process will be set up.
I personally do not have an issue with the training and renewals. Here in NC it’s 8 hours and 5 years. The social media part might create another lawsuit. An illegal shooting almost never ever happens from a CCW holder.
Republicans pushed back on the new regulations, railing against the fact that the bill was released in the middle of the night and arguing it goes far beyond just addressing concealed carry permits.
“This is more unconstitutional than what was just struck down.” GOP Sen. Andrew Lanza said during the floor debate.
The Senate passed it on a 43-20 party line, now it has to pass it in the House, before going to Hochul, who will sign it. And then lawsuits will start.
Read: New York Quickly Passes Law Banning Concealed Carry From “Sensitive Location” »