The Supreme Court handed down its first ruling on a major gun case in over a decade, and with it dealt a monumental blow to New York’s famously strict firearm ownership rules.
In a 6-3 ruling on New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen, SCOTUS affirmed that regulations set forth by the state of New York which made it difficult to obtain a concealed carry permit there were unconstitutional. Presently, one who seeks to obtain a license must prove they have “proper cause.” This rule has allowed officials to effectively determine who is worthy of having a license, and who is not. However, the desire to protect oneself and property was not considered “proper cause.”
“In this case, petitioners and respondents agree that ordinary, law-abiding citizens have a similar right to carry handguns publicly for their self-defense. We too agree, and now hold, consistent with Heller and McDonald, that the Second and Fourteenth Amendments protect an individual’s right to carry a handgun for self-defense outside the home,” wrote Justice Clarence Thomas in the Court’s opinion. “Because the State of New York issues public-carry licenses only when an applicant demonstrates a special need for self-defense, we conclude that the State’s licensing regime violates the Constitution.”
Oral arguments during the case appeared to fall in the conservative Justices’ favor.
“Why isn’t it good enough to say I live in a violent area and I want to defend myself?” asked Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
Twitter reacted to the news:
Living in a gun rights friendly state as well as a lower crime state and county, I don’t feel the need to carry/have a gun. However, if that situation ever changes, I like the fact that being able to have and carry a gun is available to me.
— kmoore (@Rebel3281950) June 23, 2022
The second amendment says nothing about openly carrying weapons. It’s Thursday and SCOTUS is drinking their bi-weekly paycheck again.
— Glenn J. Devlin (@gjdevlin) June 23, 2022
I find it unconstitutional that a city like NEW YORK CITY or ALBANY gets to set the laws that EVERYONE in their state has to follow. Because they can’t control the crime in their city, the people who live in the suburbs or mountain towns have to suffer the consequences!!!!
— UNCLE CRACKER (@StevieGal19125) June 23, 2022
Woohoo 🇺🇸🇺🇸👏🏻🇺🇸👏🏻
— MAYOR MAGA🇺🇸 (@MayorMaga) June 23, 2022
The constitution restricts what government can do to restrict individual rights. pic.twitter.com/ZJJr6bQYln
— Monkey Business (@stankeyankee) June 23, 2022
Subways might actually become safer.
— William (@TheKeintz) June 23, 2022
That “high bar” in New York meant if you were famous or connected you were good but not if you were an average Joe being threatened.
— R P (@rlpanther1) June 23, 2022
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Sierra Marlee is a millennial whose hunger for the truth in a world of fake news has led her to write. Marlee also contributes to BizPac Review.
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