In reaction to the Supreme Court’s affirmation of the right to carry guns, several states, including New York, have introduced stricter firearms regulations.
By yourNEWS Media Staff
Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen, which recognized citizens’ constitutional right to carry firearms in public for self-defense, several states have reacted by implementing stricter gun control measures. This decision, along with the 2008 District of Columbia v. Heller ruling affirming the individual right to bear arms, has prompted a varied response across the country.
In states like California, Oregon, Illinois, and Washington, typically known for stringent gun laws, legislatures have enacted additional restrictions or adjusted existing laws to align with the new legal landscape. States such as Washington, Illinois, and Delaware have joined others in banning specific types of semi-automatic rifles, often referred to as assault weapons. Moreover, these states have expanded the list of “sensitive places” where carrying guns is prohibited.
New York’s response to the Bruen decision is encapsulated in the Concealed Carry Improvement Act (CCIA), introduced on August 31, 2022. This act has increased the training required for a concealed carry license, broadened the scope of prohibited carry zones, mandated in-person interviews, required a review of an applicant’s social media accounts, and shortened the license recertification period from five to three years. The state has established a website to detail the new law.
Governor Kathy Hochul, while not available for comment, has previously assured that these measures would not infringe on lawful gun owners’ Second Amendment rights. The focus, she noted, is on preventing access to firearms and ammunition by those convicted of felonies or others deemed unfit to own them.
Amidst these developments, individuals like Adam Edelman (pseudonym), a federal firearms license holder and gun dealer in New York, have observed an increase in demand for firearms training, especially following the October 7 attacks and subsequent protests. Edelman, concerned about the parallels between current events and historical persecutions, emphasizes the challenges law-abiding citizens face in acquiring firearms under these tightened laws.
Similarly, Steve Donahoo, a retired New York City police officer and NRA-certified instructor, highlights the lengthy and often arduous process of obtaining a pistol license in New York. Each county, including New York City, has its own set of requirements, making compliance a complex and time-consuming endeavor.
These state actions have raised concerns among Second Amendment advocates. Legal experts like Don Kilmer and Mark Smith draw parallels between the current situation and historical instances of resistance to Supreme Court rulings. They argue that the reaction of some states to the Bruen decision mirrors the defiance observed in cases like Brown v. Board of Education and Cooper v. Aaron, where states initially resisted complying with the High Court’s directives on desegregation.
In summary, while some states have embraced constitutional carry laws following the Bruen ruling, others have moved in the opposite direction, tightening gun control measures. This has led to a complex and varied landscape of gun laws across the United States.