On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court decided not to hear a challenge to New York’s gun laws, which restrict firearms in certain public areas and require handgun owners to demonstrate “good moral character.” This decision leaves in place a ruling from the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that upheld key parts of the law while invalidating others.
The law, enacted after the Supreme Court expanded the right to carry guns outside the home in June 2022, prohibits concealed firearms in “sensitive locations” such as hospitals, churches, parks, and entertainment venues. Additionally, it requires applicants for concealed carry licenses to show they are of “good moral character.”
However, the court blocked a provision that would have made it illegal to carry a concealed firearm onto private property without the owner’s explicit consent. It also struck down a requirement for applicants to disclose their social media accounts.
The Supreme Court’s 2022 ruling has led to new gun restrictions in some states and the overturning of long-standing gun laws, prompting numerous appeals seeking clarification on the scope of that decision.
The challenge was brought by six New York residents who wanted to carry firearms outside their homes. New York lawmakers passed the Concealed Carry Improvement Act a month after the Supreme Court struck down a century-old provision requiring gun owners to prove a special need for self-defense to carry handguns outside their homes.
This new law also includes stricter permitting requirements, such as providing character references and contact information for family members and household members. However, the social media disclosure requirement was deemed invalid.
In recent months, the Supreme Court has sidestepped several gun-related cases, including upholding a federal law that prohibits individuals under domestic violence restraining orders from possessing firearms and supporting the regulation of “ghost gun” kits.
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