A federal judge on Wednesday blocked New York State’s restriction on carrying guns on private property.
The law was enacted following a June 24 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that struck down New York State’s 1913 law banning carrying concealed handguns outside the home. The high court had said it violated the right to “keep and bear arms” under the 2nd Amendment.
Within weeks Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) reacted by creating “gun-free zones,” banning firearms from government buildings, schools, houses of worship, protests, polling places and venues where alcohol is served, among other places.
On Wednesday U.S. District Judge John Sinatra in Buffalo struck down a provision in the state law, called the “Concealed Carry Improvement Act,” that made it a felony for a licensed gun owner to possess a firearm on any private property unless the property owner allowed it with a sign or by giving express consent, saying it also violated the 2nd Amendment.
Sinatra ruled in a lawsuit by two firearms owners and two gun rights groups. One of those groups called the ruling a “monumental step” toward restoring the gun rights of New Yorkers.
The office of New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) said in a court filing that it would appeal.
