New York's Gun Laws: A Timeline of Key Events
July 1, 2022: Governor Kathy Hochul Signs New Gun Legislation into Law
In the wake of a spate of mass shootings across the country, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law a new package of gun control measures on July 1, 2022. The new law, which took effect immediately, includes a number of provisions aimed at reducing gun violence in the state, including a ban on the sale of assault weapons, a requirement for background checks on all gun sales, and a "red flag" law that allows law enforcement to temporarily remove guns from individuals who are deemed to be a danger to themselves or others.
June 23, 2022: Supreme Court Strikes Down New York's Concealed Carry Law
On June 23, 2022, the Supreme Court of the United States struck down a New York law that restricted the carrying of concealed handguns outside the home. The Court held that the law violated the Second Amendment right to bear arms, and it ruled that states cannot require individuals to demonstrate a special need for self-defense in order to obtain a concealed carry permit.
December 9, 2021: Second Circuit Upholds New York's Gun Law
On December 9, 2021, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit upheld the vast majority of New York's expansive gun law, known as the SAFE Act. The Second Circuit rejected challenges to a number of provisions of the SAFE Act, including the ban on assault weapons, the requirement for background checks on all gun sales, and the "red flag" law. However, the Second Circuit did strike down one provision of the SAFE Act that prohibited the sale of certain semi-automatic rifles with detachable magazines.
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