New Concealed Carry Gun Laws Take Effect In NYC, Mayor Says

NEW YORK CITY — Laws aimed to blunt the Supreme Court's controversial decision to overturn New York's concealed carry gun laws will go into effect this week, Mayor Eric Adams told New Yorkers.

Adams repeated fears Wednesday that the Supreme Court decision will only exacerbate mounting gun violence and transform the city into a Wild West free-for-all.

He said explicitly gun-free zones and other reminders of firearms will become the norm as more New Yorkers can conceal carry weapons.

“I’ve never thought from the days of watching cowboy movies as child, 'leave your gun at the door' will become a reality in the state of New York," he said.

“You cannot tell me this is not a feeling of being surreal."

The 6-3 decision ruled in June that the state's century-old restrictions — mandating applicants provide a reason why they needed to carry a gun outside the home — violated the Second Amendment.

But Gov. Kathy Hochul echoed Adams' sentiments that the ruling will only allow more people to dangerously carry weapons in public under the color of law.

"That decision wasn't just negligent," Hochul said. "It was reprehensible."

Among new state laws is a restriction on carrying guns near schools, public transit and "sensitive locations" where, before the Supreme Court decision, New Yorkers could safely assume to be firearm-free.

“To those with this insidious belief that you could have public safety with quick draw — who can draw their firearm the fastest — that is just not a reality,” Adams said.

The most notable sensitive location is Times Square, where NYPD officials this week plan to install signs declaring it a gun-free zone.

Other "sensitive locations" include:

• Public transportation
• Entertainment venues
• Bars and restaurants that serve alcohol
• Polling sites
• Houses of worship
• Schools and other educational institutions
• Daycares, summer camps and places where children gather
• Playgrounds, parks and zoos
• Libraries
• Government buildings
• Courthouses
• Health and medical facilities
• Emergency shelters, including homeless, youth or domestic violence shelters
• Public demonstrations and rallies

Other New York state gun restriction laws include:

• A comprehensive background check including an in-person interview and review of social media
• A 16-hour firearm classroom training requirement, with a two-hour live gun training safety course
• A three- instead of five-year renewal period
• Raising the legal age to purchase a semi-automatic weapon to 21, effective Sept. 4

“We’re not stripping the right away," Hochul said. "We’re just saying you have to do it in a very responsible way."

Commissioner Keechant Sewell said the main focus will be education but noted she'd consider firearm checks near Times Square, similar to those than monitor drunken driving.

Said Sewell, “If we see a need for further checks, obviously we can explore that as an option.”