Supreme Court Overturns New York’s Concealed-Carry Handgun Law

The Supreme Court struck down New York’s concealed-carry law for handguns on Thursday, arguing its permit requirements violated a general right to carry a handgun outside of the home for self defense. 

The 6-3 ruling, split between the court’s conservative majority and liberal minority, was widely described as “one of the biggest gun rights cases in over a decade.” In a 63-page majority opinion, Justice Clarence Thomas specifically took issue with the New York law’s “proper cause” requirement — which requires citizens to demonstrate a special self defense need to acquire a concealed-carry permit — writing, “We know of no other constitutional right that an individual may exercise only after demonstrating to government officers some special need.”

Justices Alito, Kavanaugh and Barrett each wrote separate concurring opinions. Justice Breyer wrote the liberal justices’ 52-page dissenting opinion, arguing the majority’s decision was made “without allowing for discovery or the development of any evidentiary record, without considering the State’s compelling interest in preventing gun violence and protecting the safety of its citizens, and without considering the potentially deadly consequences of its decision.” 

Coverage was widespread across the spectrum, often noting the ruling could threaten gun permit laws in several other states. Coverage from the left often framed the decision as “expanding” gun rights, and coverage from the right often framed it as striking down “restrictions” and “regulations.”