New York Governor Hochul Signs Law Limiting Concealed Carry of Firearms in “Sensitive” Locations Despite Supreme Court Ruling

New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D) on Friday signed into law a bill that limits concealed carry of firearms in “sensitive” locations in wake of the Supreme Court’s ruling.

The US Supreme Court last Thursday struck down New York’s century-old law on carrying concealed weapons.

Prior to the Supreme Court’s Thursday ruling, the state could decide who it wanted to have this right and who it didn’t.

Justice Clarence Thomas wrote New York’s law on concealed carry permits “violates the Fourteenth Amendment by preventing law-abiding citizens with ordinary self-defense needs from exercising their right to keep and bear arms in public.”

Hochul signed new gun control legislation despite the Supreme Court’s ruling.

“The new law lays out a strict licensing process to obtain a concealed-carry permit and a list of locations deemed “sensitive” — including Times Square — where firearm possession will be illegal, according to the legislative text. Other areas defined as sensitive include government-owned buildings, schools, health care facilities, places of worship and public transportation. People who carry a gun in a prohibited location could be charged with a felony under the law.” CNN reported.

“I just signed a new law to keep New Yorkers safe – even in the face of a monumental setback from the Supreme Court.” Hochul said.

Hochul thanked New York’s top state lawmakers for quickly pushing through the gun control legislation.

CNN reported:

New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday signed into law a bill restricting the concealed carry of firearms in locations such as government buildings and schools after the US Supreme Court last week struck down the state’s century-old law that placed restrictions on carrying a concealed handgun outside the home.

Hochul, who called the legislature into an extraordinary session Thursday to address the issue, announced that she had swiftly signed the bill after passage.

Lawmakers hammered out the final bill text on Thursday and brought the bill for a vote on Friday after some debate — drawing criticism from Republicans over the short turnaround. The state Senate passed the bill 43-20 Friday in a party-line vote, and the state Assembly passed the legislation Friday evening 91-51.

“Because of the stroke of a pen, (the Supreme Court) removed longstanding limitations that we were able to use in the state of New York to make smart decisions on who should have the right to carry a weapon,” Hochul said. “We believe gun laws like those have made New York safer.”

The law enacts a strict permitting process for concealed-carry licenses. It requires background checks for ammunition sales, a policy Hochul has said is not meant to focus on lawful gun owners.
Under the law, gun owners will be required to store firearms in safe places in their residences if minors under the age of 18 reside in the home — an increase from the previously established age of 16.

Governor Hochul held a press conference on Friday to discuss the new gun legislation.

WATCH:

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