Supreme Court allows New York to enforce new Dem-backed gun control restrictions
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: The Supreme Court on Wednesday, January 11, 2023, upheld a lower court’s decision allowing the state of New York to go ahead with a Democratic-backed gun control law adopted in 2022. The law brought down the state’s limits on carrying concealed handguns outside the home, which was considered a breakthrough in this direction, as per many experts. The decision comes as the justices rejected a plea by six members of the firearms rights group Gun Owners of America to quash the lower court's decision allowing the new law that restricts gun use.
In October, Judge Glenn Suddaby blocked enforcement of most of the law’s provisions. But in December, the Manhattan-based 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals decided to put the ruling on hold as the state pursued an appeal. Though the decision didn’t impact any change on the ground, Justice Samuel Alito, in a writing for himself and colleague conservative Justice Clarence Thomas, called the court’s action as procedural "rather than expressing any view on the merits of the case."
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It is quite obvious that Wednesday’s decision will be challenged in the Supreme Court again in the near future as Alito and Thomas mentioned that the other challenges to New York’s new gun law are presently on a fast track in the 2nd Circuit. They invited plaintiffs to return to the Supreme Court if those appeals do not expedite the proceedings in their case, according to a report by Reuters.
The Supreme Court is allowing New York to continue to enforce a sweeping new gun law banning guns from “sensitive places” for now while a court challenge plays out. The justices on Wednesday turned away a plea by the law’s challengers. https://t.co/Eckj5iKT4j
— The Associated Press (@AP) January 11, 2023
Erich Pratt, an official from Gun Owners of America, called Alito's statement "reassuring". "We look forward to continuing the fight against New York's draconian law," he said. Meanwhile, New York state Attorney General Letitia James, who is a Democrat, lauded the court's decision to keep the law in effect. She said, "Too many New Yorkers are plagued by gun violence, and we know that basic gun laws help save lives every day.”
Justice Suddaby's ruling, which is presently put on hold, mentioned that the state "cannot ban guns in theatres, bars and restaurants, parks, airports, and other public places." The 2nd Circuit issued a stay by freezing Suddaby’s order at the plea filed by James while New York pursued its appeal.
In another development related to gun control law, a federal judge on Monday, January 9, blocked parts of a recently passed gun restriction law in New Jersey. The law restricted the locations where people are allowed to carry guns.