NY lawmakers consider options in wake of Supreme Court ruling on concealed gun law

Gov. Kathy Hochul met with mayors to address their concerns. Mayors from Mount Vernon and Yonkers were part of the meetings as state officials try to figure out what to do next.

News 12 Staff

Jun 24, 2022, 9:32 AM

Updated 892 days ago

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New York lawmakers are trying to navigate the fallout from the United States Supreme Court decision to overturn the state's concealed handgun law.
Gov. Kathy Hochul met with mayors to address their concerns. Mayors from Mount Vernon and Yonkers were part of the meetings as state officials try to figure out what to do next.
The New York law has been in effect for more than a century.
All this stems from a lawsuit that was filed by two men who were trying to get a concealed gun license.
The Supreme Court ruled that New York's regulations, which made it difficult to get a license to carry a concealed handgun, as unconstitutionally restrictive.
New York state issues public-carry gun licenses only when a person demonstrates a special need for self-defense. Therefore, a person who applies simply because they wish to protect themselves or their property isn't enough to get the license in New York.
The Supreme Court justices say that violates the Second and 14th amendments and that all law-abiding Americans have the right to self-defense. Many New York lawmakers, however, are concerned this will mean more guns on the streets that could lead to more violence.
Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard called the Supreme Court's decision dangerous.
"The Supreme Court got it wrong. Their decision is not only wrong but it's dangerous," Patterson-Howard said.
The Supreme Court ruling also states New York's lawmakers can set up licensing laws for carry permits, including criminal background and mental health checks, mandatory safety training as well as banning guns from certain locations deemed sensitive, such as mass transit or government buildings.
Hochul said the plan is to draft new legislation.
In the meantime, gun owners are now asking if the ruling means their gun license automatically converts to full carry.
There are at least six other states with similar gun laws, so the ruling may impact those states as well.