New York bans carrying guns in many public places

The law, passed in an emergency legislative session, was prompted by a US Supreme Court ruling last week that struck down New York’s restrictive gun licensing laws. The court’s conservative majority ruled for the first time that the US Constitution gives an individual the right to bear arms in public for self-defense.

New York’s Democratic leaders condemned the court’s decision, saying there will be more gun violence if more people carry guns in public.

They acknowledged that they must relax some of the conditions of the more than 100-year-old gun permit law to comply with the Supreme Court ruling, but tried to keep as many restrictions in place in the name of protecting public safety. . Some of them are likely to be targeted for further legal challenges.

The court ruled that New York State’s previous licensing regime, which dates back to 1911, gave authorities too much leeway to deny gun permits.

New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul, who called the emergency session of the legislature, said the state’s gun licensing regulations have helped New York have the fifth-lowest rate of gun deaths among the 50 US states. .

“Our state will continue to keep New Yorkers safe, despite the setback caused by the Supreme Court’s decision.” she said at a press conference in the state capital, Albany, as lawmakers debated the bill.

The court’s ruling acknowledged that people may not be allowed to carry guns in some “sensitive areas,” but cautioned lawmakers against applying the rule broadly.

The law passed Friday makes it a felony to carry a gun in a new list of sensitive places, including: government buildings, medical facilities, religious facilities, libraries, parks, zoos, schools, colleges, summer camps, centers for the homeless, shelters, public transportation, including the New York City subway, places where alcohol or marijuana is consumed, museums, theaters, stadiums, polling places, and Times Square./Voa

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