New York imposes new gun restrictions on concealed carry

NEW YORK: New York has started to ban Concealed carrying of firearms in designated areas that are considered sensitive following the US Supreme Court struck down the state’s century-old Concealed Carry law in June.

Concealed Carry permit holders aren’t permitted to Carry their firearms into a range of sensitive areas which include Times Square, bars, schools, libraries as well as government buildings and hospitals, as per the new law, which went into effect on Thursday.

“Individuals that are not exempted from this restriction by law could be charged with a crime of felony for violating the sensitive locations provisions,” said a statement from the New York state government.

Local law enforcement agencies are putting up signs in the most vulnerable regions with the start of an awareness campaign, says Xinhua news agency.

“We will post signs at each entrance to Times Square informing those travelling through that the area is a non-gun area and that licensed gun owners and others are not permitted to be allowed to enter with guns unless specifically authorized by law,” explained Eric Adams, Mayor of New York City.

Although the Supreme Court’s ruling regarding New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc.v.Bruen means a setback in fighting the violence caused by guns in the state and the New York State legislature passed new laws with restrictions on Concealed Carry firearms just days after the decision.

For more than 100 years, New York required applicants to Carry Concealed gun licenses in order to prove “proper cause” However, the Supreme Court ruled that New York State’s “proper cause” requirement was in violation of the Second Amendment of the Constitution.

New York also strengthens background checks and firearm safety , as well as live-fire training for those wishing to get Concealed Carry permits and requires the renewal or recertification of permits every three years, rather than every five years.

Following the shooting massacre in Buffalo in May the Governor Kathy Hochul also announced new guidelines for allowing and age minimum requirements pertaining to the ownership of semiautomatic rifles .These will be in effect from September 4.

A person must be at minimum 21 years of age and possess an appropriate permit before buying or taking possession of semiautomatic rifles as per the new rules.

The Supreme Court’s decision to repeal the law governing Concealed Carry in New York has opened the way for more tragic gun violence, according to New York State Assembly member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, who was in favor of banning the use of Concealed firearms in vulnerable areas.

New York City saw over 50 percent growth in requests for permit to Carry and permits for guns according to Adams who didn’t provide more specifics.