Supreme Court rules against New York gun carry restrictions
Tennessee Attorney General praises the decision
NEW YORK (WDEF) – The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday struck down a New York state law that restricted who could get a gun carry permit.
The law had been in place since 1913.
It said residents must show proper cause or an actual need to carry a concealed handgun in public.
But the justices said the law conflicts with the Second Amendment’s right to bear arms “by preventing law-abiding citizens with ordinary self-defense needs from exercising their right to keep and bear arms in public.”
New York officials insist the ruling does not immediately force any changes.
The say the law will now go to a lower court to iron out the provisions for qualifying for a permit.
But New York Democrats say they will save as many gun restrictions as they can following the ruling.
They say they will detail the “sensitive locations” where people cannot carry.
Plus they’ll consider new conditions for handgun permits, like weapons training.
Tennessee is one of 25 states that filed an amicus brief supporting the New York State Rifle & Pistol Association in the case.
State Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III praised the ruling.
“I commend the U.S. Supreme Court for recognizing the Constitutional right to bear arms in public for self-defense is not a ‘second-class’ right. Law-abiding Tennesseans can be assured they have a right to carry a handgun for self-defense outside their homes.”
