Times Square Becomes Gun-Free Zone Amid Legal Fight

NEW YORK CITY — Times Square is officially a gun-free zone, although for how long is unclear as a high-stakes legal case winds its way through the courts.

Mayor Eric Adams signed a bill Tuesday that bans concealed carry firearms from the iconic destination — a move he said would keep New Yorkers and the city's 56 million yearly tourists from living in fear.

"We're going to make sure we create an environment where those who visit the city, such as Times Square, won't have to be paralyzed with the fear of knowing that someone is carrying in a gun in this area," he said.

But the gun ban's future is in doubt.

Adams signed the bill days after an upstate judge shot down much of New York's new law — which was passed in response to a controversial recent Supreme Court decision that severely curtailed the ability of cities and states to place restrictions on firearms — that aimed to ban firearms in "sensitive" locations such as Times Square.

New York Attorney General Letitia James this week appealed the ruling and, at least temporarily, kept the law alive. She argued the law is necessary to protect public safety.

"As the data confirm, more guns carried in more places by more people result in more crime, violence, and homicide," her appeals states.

Stephen Louis, an attorney with the city's law department, said the judge's ruling on the law is on hold while James' appeal goes through federal court.

"It is not in effect, the law is the law," he said. "The law remains in effect and will continue to be enforced, both in the city and throughout the state."

The city's gun ban legally defines the boundaries of Times Square for the first time and declares it as a "sensitive location zone." Concealed carry permit holders can't walk their guns into Times Square unless they're specifically authorized by law, according to the ban.