(WNY News Now) – A significant legal win for gun safety in New York, as the Second Circuit Court upholds key provisions of the state’s Concealed Carry Improvement Act.
New York – New York Attorney General Letitia James celebrated a victory today as the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit upheld the majority of New York’s Concealed Carry Improvement Act (CCIA). The decision reinforces the state’s stringent gun safety regulations, which were put into place following the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen.
The CCIA, which has been in effect since September 2022, faced several legal challenges aimed at weakening its provisions. However, today’s ruling confirms that most of the law’s requirements will remain intact, ensuring stronger control over concealed firearms in the state. Provisions that remain enforceable include the need for permit applicants to demonstrate good moral character, disclose household members, and complete in-person interviews, along with 16 hours of mandatory training.
Attorney General James praised the decision, stating, “This decision is another victory in our effort to protect all New Yorkers from the scourge of gun violence. After repeated attempts to weaken our gun safety regulations, once again we have prevailed. Commonsense gun safety legislation helps protect New Yorkers, and my office will always stand up to defend these laws. As Attorney General, I will use all the tools at my disposal to help remove dangerous weapons from New York communities and to keep our state’s residents safe.”
The Second Circuit’s decision allows private property owners, including places of worship, to prohibit firearms on their premises. However, it made one notable exception: concealed carry will be allowed in places of worship unless property owners explicitly ban firearms.
As New York continues to navigate legal challenges over gun control, this decision reinforces the state’s dedication to keeping its residents safe through commonsense regulations.