Hochul Signs Gun Control Measures In Wake Of SCOTUS Ruling [POLL]

NEW YORK — After the United States Supreme Court handed down its ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen, which that took control of concealed weapon permitting out of the hands of the state, the Legislature in Albany passed and Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation to strengthen New York's gun laws and bolster restrictions on concealed carry weapons.

Hochul called the Supreme Court's ruling "reckless" and said it sent the state backward and put the safety of New Yorkers in jeopardy.

She said the decision was reviewed and discussed with constitutional and policy experts, advocates and legislative partners.

"I will continue to do everything in my power to combat the gun violence epidemic," Hochul said.

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The law, which will go into effect Sept. 1, changes the concealed carry permitting process and adds specific eligibility requirements, including the taking and passing of firearm training courses for permit applicants.

It also enables the state to regulate and standardize training for license applicants and identifies "sensitive locations" where it is prohibited to carry a concealed weapon and says that private property owners must expressly allow a person to possess a firearm, rifle or shotgun on their property.

Among the "sensitive locations" specified in the law are any place under control of federal, state or local government; a location providing health care services; places of worship; libraries, public playgrounds, public parks and zoos; children and family services; nursery schools, preschools and summer camps; homeless shelters; public and private schools; colleges and universities; any place or vehicle used for public transportation; any place licensed for the public consumption of alcohol or cannabis; locations used for entertainment or gaming; polling places; and the area commonly known as Times Square in New York City.

The sensitive location restrictions do not apply to law enforcement personnel, security guards or active-duty military personnel, among others.

Criminal possession of a firearm, rifle or shotgun in a sensitive location is a class E felony, the law states.

Additionally, the law prohibits the sale of body armor to people not engaged or employed in an eligible profession.

In an effort to catch warning signs that could prevent mass killings, New York is rolling out a strategy to screen gun permit applicants by requiring them to hand over their social media accounts for a review of their "character and conduct."

However, there are concerns from some experts as to how the requirement will be enforced and whether it is a violation of free speech.

Now it's your turn to weigh in on the issue. Vote in our unscientific poll and tell us what you think in the comments.