Supreme Court overturns New York law on carrying concealed weapons

Approved ~ MJM

The Supreme Court struck down New York’s century-old law restricting the carrying of concealed firearms Thursday, its first major Second Amendment decision in more than a decade and a ruling that could lead to more weapons on the streets, as well as subways, churches, bars, airports and just about anywhere people gather.

Writing for a 6-3 court, Justice Clarence Thomas wrote that “when the Second Amendment’s plain text covers an individual’s conduct, the Constitution presumptively protects that conduct.

To justify its regulation, the government may not simply posit that the regulation promotes an important interest,” Thomas added. “Rather, the government must demonstrate that the regulation is consistent with this Nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation.

The ruling could also affect similar “may issue” laws in New Jersey, California, Maryland, Hawaii and Massachusetts.​​

​The New York state law, on the books since 1913, requires that a person who wants a license to carry a handgun in public show “proper cause” that the weapon is ​specifically needed for self-defense rather than a desire to protect themselves or their property.

The New York State Rifle and Pistol Association and two Upstate men sued, claiming the law violated their Second Amendment rights.

Continued…