NEW YORK STATE – After deeming the decision of the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) to overrule New York’s concealed carry gun law “reckless and reprehensible,” state lawmakers passed a bill after Governor Kathy Hochul called to order an extraordinary session of the Legislature in Albany at noon on Thursday, June 30.

After many hours on the floor, state lawmakers passed a bill on July 1 intended to change the concealed carry permitting process and adds eligibility requirements in response to the SCOTUS ruling in NYSRPA v. Bruen.

The state law that was struck  down required “proper cause” restrictions on concealed carry handgun permits in New York, on the basis of the law violating rights granted by the Second Amendment.

The bill shall take effect on September 1 of this year.

During the last week’s special legislative session, Gov. Hochul and lawmakers initiated talks of legislation limiting the areas in which concealed firearms may be carried, stating that “individuals who carry concealed weapons in sensitive locations or in contravention of the authority of an owner of private property will face criminal penalties.”

These areas prohibiting the carrying of concealed firearms would include places of business unless otherwise explicitly stated by business owners that firearms are welcome.

These places of business are likely to include other public spaces like hospitals, schools and public transportation.

“We’re going to protect the rights of private property owners to allow them to not have to be subjected to someone walking into their workplace or a bar, restaurant with a concealed weapon,” Hochul said.

The newly signed legislation also includes new requirements for obtaining handguns, required 15 hours of firearm training at a firing range, new rules around firearm storage in the home and in vehicles, background checks for ammunition purchases for firearms that would require a license, require concealed carry licenses to be recertified and renewed after three years, and prevent people with a dangerous record from obtaining a handgun permit.

Advocates say that the bill also includes “a robust appeals process to ensure the system is administered consistently and fairly across the State, including a new requirement for written notices to applicant licensees for all denials and revocations.”

The bill was met with pushback from Senate Minorty Leader Robert Ortt (R).

“Instead of addressing the root of the problem and holding violent criminals accountable, Albany politicians are preventing law-abiding New Yorkers, who have undergone permit classes, background checks, and a licensing process from exercising their constitutional right to keep and bear arms,” Ortt said. “Senate Democrats even rejected an amendment to increase penalties on individuals who commit crimes with illegal firearms while attacking the rights of legal gun owners.”

The extraordinary session was called to order June 30 at noon, but carried on into Friday, July 1 around 1:30 am. After reconvening, lawmakers passed the bill with a final vote of 43 ayes to 20 nays in the State Senate.

The Bill was sponsored by Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D) of the 36th Senate District, and was co-sponsored by Zellnor Myrie (D) of the 20th Senate District, Brian Kavanagh (D) of the 26th Senate District, John E. Brooks (D) of the 8th Senate District, and Robert Jackson (D) of the 31st Senate District.