News/Commentary

NY passes law requiring gun buyers to provide social media handles to prove their ‘character and conduct’

July 2, 2022 | | Print Article
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In an Orwellian move aimed at circumventing a Supreme Court ruling that struck down New York’s unconstitutional concealed carry gun permit requirements, Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law Friday legislation that would require buyers to provide a list of social media accounts they have maintained for three years so officials can determine whether or not they have the “character and conduct” to hold a handgun license.

Though SCOTUS determined that the state’s “proper cause” requirement for concealed carry permits was a violation of Constitutionally-protected rights, the new measure is almost daring the court to enforce its decision, as applicants must now submit to a search of their online posts to prove they have “the essential character, temperament, and judgment necessary to be entrusted with a weapon and to use it only in a manner that does not endanger oneself and others.”

Explained Hochul at a press conference, “Sometimes they’re telegraphing their intent to cause harm to others.”

In other words, not only is New York continuing its assault on the Second Amendment, it has now weaponized the First Amendment.

And those aren’t the only new restrictions to come out of the “extraordinary session” Hochul called her Legislature to hold before the ink on the Supreme Court’s decision had even dried.

According to Fox News, “Individuals applying for a license to carry a handgun will also be required to provide four character references and take 16 hours of gun safety training and two hours of shooting practice at a range” in addition to periodic background checks.

And it isn’t just the prospective buyer’s privacy that will be invaded. The social media accounts and contact information of any adults living in the buyer’s home will also be scrutinized by officials of the State.

A method by which decisions may be appealed will be set up, but the licenses will only be good for three years.

Concealed weapons will be banned from government buildings, public transportation, bars, churches, schools, libraries, playgrounds, parks, homeless shelters, and in Times Square.

The existing law that banned the sale of certain bulletproof vests was also updated, presumably to include the type of vest the 18-year-old shooter in Buffalo was wearing in May.

And because Hochul knows she cannot simply ban concealed weapons across entire neighborhoods, the new law places the onus on businesses to post signs explicitly permitting law-abiding citizens to exercise their Second Amendment rights within their establishment. As American Wire reported, if no sign is present, it will be assumed by the State that concealed weapons are prohibited.

Needless to say, Hochul’s blatant challenge to the Supreme Court ruling will itself be challenged.

According to GOP State Senator Andrew J. Lanza, the radical legislation, set to go into effect on September 1 and known officially as Senate Bill S51001, was proposed “mere hours before debate and a full floor vote” and it “would prevent law-abiding New Yorkers, who have undergone permit classes, background checks and a licensing process from exercising their constitutional right to keep and bear arms.”

“Now we’re going to let the pizzeria owner decide whether or not I can express my constitutional right?” he asked. “This is a disgrace. See you in the courts.”

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Melissa Fine
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