Following an extended session last Thursday and into Friday, New York’s governor on Friday signed legislation to strengthen the state’s gun laws and beef-up restrictions on concealed carry weapons. Governor Kathy Hochul said the emergency session and the package of new laws were necessary after the U-S Supreme Court last month overturned New York’s long-standing concealed carry law…
The new laws expand eligibility requirements in the concealed carry permitting process and now include completed firearm training courses for applicants, they restrict the carrying of concealed weapons in sensitive locations including Times Square, subways and mass transit, and create a statewide license and ammunition database. They also bar gun permits for people with a history of dangerous behavior, and bans guns in bars and restaurants unless they specifically choose to allow them. The laws will take effect on September first.
The legislature is also looking to strengthen the state’s equal rights and abortion laws by making them part of the state constitution. An equal rights amendment could be voted on by the legislature next year before a public referendum in November 2023.