New Gun Laws Take Effect in New York

State lawmakers in Albany passed landmark gun legislation in the wake of the Supreme Court's controversial concealed-carry decision. Source: Photo by Wally Gobetz on Flickr

In the wake of this summer’s controversial Supreme Court case which struck down a key aspect of New York’s gun laws that required proper cause and necessity to own a gun, state legislators reformed and passed a series of new gun laws that will prevent untrained or badly motivated people from easily obtaining these licenses. 

These laws, which were passed over the summer to strengthen restrictions on guns and circumvent the Supreme Court in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, went into effect beginning in early September, impacting many gun owners.

One of the laws that went into effect on September 4th raised the purchase age for a semi-automatic rifle from 18 to 21. This law was signed into effect by Governor Kathy Hochul as a direct result of the racially motivated shooting carried out by an 18-year-old gunman at a supermarket in Buffalo, N.Y. in May, killing 10 people.

In the package of laws that went into effect on September 1, one law bans firearms in “sensitive locations” such as Times Square and parts of Manhattan as well as educational institutions, public transportation, bars and restaurants with alcohol, libraries, public playgrounds and parks, religious institutions and so many more. 

Another set of laws deals with concealed carry applicants and other gun licenses, by implementing new training requirements and strengthening background checks on potential licensees. In New York, concealed carry permit applicants will need to take a 16-hour classroom and two-hour, live-fire firearm training course as well as provide four character references, an in-person interview, a list of adults residing in the household and a social media review.

Gun owners with pistol or revolver licenses issued by New York City, Westchester, Nassau, or Suffolk counties will have to renew their permits every three years; those with permits given out by those counties will have to recertify every three years for a concealed carry license and every five years for the other types.

“As mayor of New York City and a former police officer, my top priority will always be the safety of all 8.8 million people who call this city home, so while the Supreme Court decision may have opened an additional river feeding the sea of gun violence, we are doing everything we can to dam it and keep New York the safest big city in America,” said Mayor Eric Adams.

To spread information and help ease the transition for gun owners, gun dealers and the public, the state created a website compiling information on the new laws and the guidance needed to continue to obtain licenses. The purpose of these laws and this website is to “increase public safety and promote responsible, legal ownership.”

The primary goal of the legislation is to improve safety for New Yorkers and prevent other violent acts, like the one committed in Buffalo, from happening again. 

“I refuse to surrender my right as Governor to protect New Yorkers from gun violence or any other form of harm,” Governor Hochul said. “In New York State, we will continue leading the way forward and implementing common-sense gun safety legislation.”