New York legislators approved Friday a major overhaul of state handgun licensing rules. This was in response to the Supreme Court's ruling that most people are entitled to carry handguns for personal protection.
Governor. After passing both chambers with wide margins, Kathy Hochul signed the measure. Gun rights advocates will likely bring more legal challenges to the state's gun control policies. They claim that it still places too many restrictions on who and where guns can be purchased.
Hochul, a Democrat called the Democrat-controlled Legislature to Albany to continue work on the law following last week's ruling by the high court overturning long-standing licensing restrictions in the state.
Backers stated that the law, which goes into effect Sept. 1, is a good compromise between following the Supreme Court's rulings and keeping weapons away from criminals or reckless users.
Some Republican legislators opposed to tighter restrictions argued that the law violated the Constitution right to bear arms. They also predicted that it would be overturned.
The state's new regulations will require applicants for handgun licenses to give a list of all their social media accounts to officials so they can verify their "character" and conduct.
Candidates will need to prove that they have the "essential character, temperament, and judgment required to be entrusted to a weapon and to use it in a way that does not endanger others."
The applicant must submit a list of all social media accounts that they have maintained over the past three years as part of this assessment.
Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat said at a news conference.
Republican leaders and gun rights advocates were furious, claiming that the legislation violated not only the Second Amendment but also the privacy rights and freedom of speech.
"New Yorkers constitutional freedoms were just trampled upon," Nick Langworthy, state Republican Chair, stated.
Legislators have not specified whether applicants will need to give licensing officers access to private accounts on social media that aren't visible to the public.
A person applying for a license for handgun carry must also provide four references. They will need to take 16 hours of firearms safety instruction and two hours practice at a range. They will also need to undergo periodic background checks. Contact information for their spouse, domestic partner, or other adult members of their household must be provided.
Elizabeth Fine, Hochul's chief attorney, stated that the state had established "a very clear set" of eligibility criteria and pointed out that the legislation also includes an appeals process.
Friday's measure also repeals a law that had been passed recently and prohibits the sale of certain types of bullet-resistant vests to general public. Inadvertently, the previous law left out many types body armor, including that worn by the gunman who attacked a Buffalo grocery store and killed 10 Blacks.
Last week, the Supreme Court struck down a 109 year-old state law that required individuals to show an unusual risk to their safety in order to be eligible for a license to carry handguns outside their homes. This restriction generally restricted licenses to those who were law enforcers or had a special need beyond the usual public safety concerns.
The new system prohibits the state from issuing permits to anyone with a criminal conviction within the last five years for driving while impaired, menacing, or third-degree attack.
A long list of "sensitive locations" will also be excluded from the ban, including Times Square in New York City.
This list also includes universities, government buildings, schools, places where people have gathered to protest, health care facilities and places of worship.
New York also prohibits people from bringing guns into any workplace or business unless they display signs stating that guns are allowed. People who bring guns to places where there are no signs may be charged with felony offenses.
This is a reverse approach to many other states, where businesses who want guns out are often required to put up signs that state weapons are not allowed.
Gun advocates claim that the law violates rights guaranteed by the Supreme Court.
"Now, we're going let the pizzeria operator decide whether or not it is possible to express my constitutional rights," stated Sen. Andrew Lanza of Staten Island. This is an act of disgrace. "See you in court."
