Guns banned in Times Square, other ‘sensitive locations’ under New York firearms law revised after Supreme Court ruling
New York’s Democrat-controlled Legislature on Friday night passed sweeping new restrictions that bar carrying concealed weapons in a host of places including Times Square as well as subways, buses, bars, government buildings, houses of worship, schools, libraries, playgrounds, parks, homeless shelters and more.
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
ALBANY — The Crossroads of the World is among the “sensitive places” where firearms will be banned under New York gun statutes strengthened by the governor and Legislature in response to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling overturning the state’s century-old concealed carry law.
New York’s Democrat-controlled Legislature on Friday night passed sweeping new restrictions that bar carrying concealed weapons in a host of places including Times Square as well as subways, buses, bars, government buildings, houses of worship, schools, libraries, playgrounds, parks, homeless shelters and more.
The law — signed by Gov. Hochul later on Friday evening — bars guns from “sensitive places” such as Times Square and mass transit systems. Also, firearms are not allowed in private businesses unless business owners explicitly grant permission to bring them on their property.
Businesses such as retail stores will have to post a sign indicating that armed patrons are welcome.
The new law also overhauls the state’s permitting process by requiring applicants undergo 15 hours of in-person training at a firing range and an in-person interview. They must also provide their social media accounts as well as contact information for household members.
Applicants will have to show they have “the essential character, temperament and judgment necessary to be entrusted with a weapon and to use it only in a manner that does not endanger oneself and others,” the law says.
Licenses will have to be renewed after three years and an appeals process will be set up under the law.
The bill also tweaks a recently passed law that barred sales of bulletproof vests but didn’t cover the type of armor worn by an 18-year-old man accused of killing 10 Black shoppers at a Buffalo supermarket in May.
The Assembly wrapped up around 8 p.m. Friday after passing the bill 91-51. Later, the measure was approved by the Senate in a 43-20 party line vote, which sent the bill to Hochul’s desk.
Sen. Brad Hoylman (D-Manhattan) applauded the expanded list of locations and the inclusion of Midtown’s tourist mecca as the bill was being debated in the Senate chamber.
“It’s crucial to the recovery of our local economy, including Broadway, that Times Square be a gun-free zone and that its 50 million annual visitors feel safe from the dangers of gun violence,” he said.
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 longstanding law limiting who can carry a handgun in public.
The statute stricken by the Supreme Court required gun owners demonstrate “proper cause” to obtain a concealed carry license, which the conservative majority on the court determined to be unconstitutional.
[ Explainer: What the Supreme Court gun ruling means for New York ]
What was meant to be a one-day “extraordinary session” stretched into a typical Albany legislative marathon as Hochul released the language of the new gun law in the middle of the night.
“We’re in response mode with regards to the Supreme Court decision,” Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D-Bronx) told reporters at the Capitol. “As frustrating as it may be, Democrats feel like we’re doing the right thing to protect New Yorkers.”
Lawmakers also used the special session to pass a constitutional amendment protecting abortion and LGBTQ rights that must be voted on again by the Legislature next year and then approved by voters.
Republicans pushed back against the gun bill, railing over the proposal’s late-night release and arguing it goes far beyond just addressing concealed carry permits.
“This is more unconstitutional than what was just struck down.” Sen. Andrew Lanza (R-Staten Island) said during the floor debate.
State GOP party chairman Nick Langworthy slammed the Dem-led Legislature for tightening restrictions for legal gun owners.
“Only under the insanity of New York Democrats can you get out of jail free for possessing an illegal firearm, but be targeted by the government for being a law-abiding citizen exercising your constitutional rights,” he said.
Aaron Dorr, the executive director of the New York State Firearms Association, told the Associated Press that the measure is “the kind of bill that the Gestapo would be proud of” or “you’d see in Communist China.”
“This will never survive a court challenge,” he added.
Elizabeth Fine, Hochul’s chief counsel, said the Supreme Court ruling was clear in that it still leaves states in charge of “determining qualifications and who’s eligible to carry a weapon.”
“I don’t think that there’s any question but that the state has the authority and the responsibility to review applicants for licenses to make sure that they are not going to pose a danger to themselves or others if they are able to get a gun,” Fine said.
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New York City is not only America's largest city but also its densest.
They’re pretty dense in Albany, too - such contempt for the Bill of Rights.
Why do you think they are so stupid?
I'm sure the usual suspects will meekly and willingly obey this law!
“It’s crucial to the recovery of our local economy, including Broadway, that Times Square be a gun-free zone and that its 50 million annual visitors feel safe from the dangers of gun violence,” he said.
Gun free zones, my ass!
And without stop-and-frisk, who will know and how will they know if people are carrying a concealed weapon?
Seeing how our favorite little MEME poster hasn't yet contributed to this seed, I thought I would beat her to the punch with one that is on target as it were...
That is hilarious!
Also, should they require a drug test before giving out gun permits?