State passes more gun laws after court decision

State passes more gun laws after court decision

NEW YORK--Gov. Kathy Hochul last week signed legislation to strengthen New York's gun laws and bolster restrictions on concealed carry weapons. This package of new laws -- drafted in collaboration with the legislature -- were in response to the Supreme Court's recent decision overturning New York's process for determining carry permits. As a result of this decision, the state has taken steps to address what they expect will result in an increase in licenses and the number of individuals who want to legally carry in New York.
The legislation does the following things:
• Expands on eligibility requirements in the concealed carry permitting process, including completed firearm training courses for applicants.
• Allowing the state to regulate and standardize training for license applicants.
• Restricting the carrying of concealed weapons in sensitive locations and establishing that private property owners must expressly allow a person to possess a firearm, rifle, or shotgun on their property. Individuals who carry concealed weapons in sensitive locations or in contravention of the authority of an owner of private property will face criminal penalties.
• Establishing state oversight over background checks for firearms and regular checks on license holders for criminal convictions.
• Creating a statewide license and ammunition database.
• Strengthening and clarifying the law relating to the sale of body armor to include hard body armor, such as the type worn by the suspect in the Buffalo shooting and the safe storage of firearms.
The law will take effect on Sept. 1, 2022. In addition, an appeals board will be created for those applicants whose license or renewal is denied or revoked, which will take effect on April 1, 2023.
The Supreme Court's 6-3 decision ended the requirement that individuals demonstrate "proper cause" to obtain a license to carry a concealed firearm. The existing law gave discretion to the state and its licensing officers in determining what constitutes "proper cause," which the court cited as unconstitutional.
This legislation makes concealed carry in sensitive locations a punishable crime. Sensitive locations include:
• Airports
• Bars and restaurants that serve alcohol
• Courthouses
• Daycare facilities, playgrounds and other locations where children gather
• Educational Institutions
• Emergency shelters, including domestic violence shelters and homeless shelters
• Entertainment venues
• Federal, state, and local government buildings
• Health and medical facilities
• Houses of worship
• Libraries
• Polling sites
• Public demonstrations and rallies
• Public transportation including subways and buses
• Times Square
The law also makes 'no carry' the default for private property, unless deemed permissible by property owners. This gives power to business and property owners to decide whether or not they want guns in their establishments, which could include bars, restaurants, shops or grocery stores. Property owners who do decide to allow concealed carry will have to disclose with signage saying concealed carry is allowed on the premises. This allows people to make an informed decision on whether or not they want to be in a space where people could potentially be carrying a weapon.
The legislation expands eligibility requirements for concealed carry permit applicants, safe storage, additional background checks and expands body armor bans.