The court ruled that New York’s restrictive gun licensing system was unconstitutional, as were similar regimes in California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey and the District of Columbia.
Here are some key provisions of New York’s proposed gun licensing law https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2021/s51001:
* NO MORE NEED TO PROVE A “VALID CAUSE” TO HAVE A FIREARM
The Supreme Court has ruled that it is unconstitutional to give government officials the discretion to deny a law-abiding person a concealed-carry permit for self-defense if they cannot prove “proper cause” or cite a special reason. The bill removes the “good cause” requirement, although it still requires the applicant to show they are of “good character”.
*”SENSITIVE PLACES” WHERE WEAPONS ARE PROHIBITED
The court said lawmakers could restrict access to firearms in “sensitive places”, citing courthouses, schools and government buildings as examples, but cautioned lawmakers against applying the rule too broadly. this label.
New York’s list includes: government buildings, medical facilities, places of worship, libraries, playgrounds, parks, zoos, schools, summer camps, addiction centers , homeless shelters, retirement homes, public transportation including the New York City subway, places where alcohol or marijuana is consumed, museums, theaters, stadiums , polling stations and Times Square.
Private businesses will be presumed to be gun-free zones unless their owners say otherwise.
* SOCIAL MEDIA REVIEW
The bill requires applicants for concealed carry permits to submit their current and three-year old social media accounts for review by the licensing officer, usually a judge or police official. , in order to assess the “character and conduct” of the applicant.
* INCREASED TRAINING
Applicants must complete at least 16 hours of in-person firearms safety training, and at least two hours of training at a shooting range, where they must demonstrate their marksmanship skills to standards to be developed by local police. the state.
* IN-DEPTH EXAMINATION OF CANDIDATES
Applicants must come in for an in-person interview with the Licensing Officer and provide the names and contact details of their spouse or domestic partner, any other adults they live with, and say if there are children in their household. They must provide four character references.
* RELAUNCH AMMUNITION SALES DATABASE
The bill revives a dormant effort to create a state database to track ammunition sales to license holders purchasing certain types of ammunition.