Socialite, get into this: The Supreme Court struck down a century-old New York gun law this Thursday. With a 6-3 decision, the justices overturned the NY law requiring people to demonstrate a particular need for carrying a gun in order to get a license to carry one in public. The justices said the requirement violates the Second Amendment right to “keep and bear arms.”
The New York State Rifle and Pistol Association and two Upstate men previously sued, claiming the law violated their Second Amendment rights. According to the Daily News, the decision is expected to ultimately allow more people to legally carry guns on the streets of the nation’s largest cities. It was said that the ruling could also affect similar “may issue” laws in New Jersey, California, Maryland, Hawaii, and Massachusetts, the New York Post notes.
The move is a big hit to gun control advocates and could roll back gun control measures across the country. The move also comes amid advocates all one the country fighting for more gun control following the latest mass shooting that took place at a Texas elementary school.
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How Are People Feeling About This?
Gov. Kathy Hochul reacted to the news ok Twitter saying,
“It is outrageous that at a moment of national reckoning on gun violence, the Supreme Court has recklessly struck down a New York law that limits those who can carry concealed weapons. She added, In response to this ruling, we are closely reviewing our options – including calling a special session of the legislature. Just as we swiftly passed nation-leading gun reform legislation, I will continue to do everything in my power to keep New Yorkers safe from gun violence.”
In response to this ruling, we are closely reviewing our options – including calling a special session of the legislature.
Just as we swiftly passed nation-leading gun reform legislation, I will continue to do everything in my power to keep New Yorkers safe from gun violence.
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) June 23, 2022
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New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat, also said the decision will “put New Yorkers at further risk of gun violence:
Adams’ full statement reads: “Put simply, this Supreme Court ruling will put New Yorkers at further risk of gun violence. We have been preparing for this decision and will continue to do everything possible to work with our federal, state, and local partners to protect our city. Those efforts will include a comprehensive review of our approach to defining ‘sensitive locations’ where carrying a gun is banned, and reviewing our application process to ensure that only those who are fully qualified can obtain a carry license. We will work together to mitigate the risks this decision will create once it is implemented, as we cannot allow New York to become the Wild West. He went on to say, “One thing is certain: We will do whatever is in our power, using every resource available to ensure that the gains we’ve seen during this administration are not undone, to make certain New Yorkers are not put in further danger of gun violence. This decision may have opened an additional river feeding the sea of gun violence, but we will do everything we can to dam it.”