New York Gun Law Takes Effect, Banning Concealed Weapons in Public Spaces

New gun regulations took effect in New York on Thursday, banning concealed weapons in specially designated “sensitive locations” such as public spaces, Times Square, government buildings, and many more. The bill also adds new requirements for obtaining concealed carry permits, including mandatory firearm safety training, passing a background check, and “good moral character.”

The law took effect after a federal judge declined to block the legislation, deeming opposing gun-rights organizations to not have sufficient standing to challenge the law. This new law was passed last month following the Supreme Court’s overturning of a century-old New York law banning concealed carry of weapons. Upon the bill’s passing, Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado stated that “New York has sent a message to the rest of the country that we will not stand idly by and let the Supreme Court reverse years of sensible gun regulations."

Coverage of the bill’s passing was broad and varied, with left-rated outlets writing positively about the bill, with coverage from CBS News (Lean Left Bias) not featuring any perspectives opposing the bill. Center and right-rated sources such as Christian Science Monitor (Center bias) and Fox News highlighted dissenting voices who call the bill overly broad and say “sensitive locations” is poorly defined. Most criticism from the left has been of the city’s revised interpretation of what qualifies as ‘Times Square,’ which is included in the ban, with The Guardian and New York Times (Lean Left Bias) both presenting critical perspectives.