Oh, shoot! Federal judge calls NY gun laws ‘unconstitutional,’ allows them for now

New state gun laws took effect Thursday in places like Times Square — but they might not remain that way for long, with a federal judge blasting Albany Democrats for their “unconstitutional” response to a controversial ruling by the US Supreme Court in June.

“While pursuing the laudable goal of public safety, and in an attempt to curb ever-increasing mass shootings, the New York State Legislature has generated an unconstitutional statute,” Chief United States District Judge Glenn Suddaby said in a decision released late Wednesday.

While the judge rulef that the suit brought by the Guns Owners of America New York lacked standing — a decision it might appeal — the legal win for New York Democrats might prove short-lived amid multiple legal challenges to the new laws.

Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York

A spokesman for Gun Owners of America New York said the group is considering its options while other cases involving state Republicans and the New York Rifle and Pistol Association make their way through the courts.

Gov. Kathy Hochul called an extraordinary session of the state Senate and Assembly in late June following a SCOTUS ruling on a case brought by the association striking down a 1913 state law requiring applicants for concealed weapons permits to show “proper cause” for packing heat surreptitiously.

The sweeping legislation banned concealed weapons from a list of venues like bars, sporting events and Times Square while requiring applicants to get additional training and prove “good moral character” through means like divulging their social media history…

Read more at The New York Post