A judge in New York has reinstated portions of the Concealed Carry Improvement Act that deny the carrying of concealed firearms in “sensitive areas.” The decision to do so was triggered by a motion from New York Attorney General Letitia James that asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit to reconsider the matter.
“I am pleased that the full Concealed Carry Improvement Act will stay in effect and continue to protect communities as the appeals process moves forward. My office will continue our efforts to protect the safety of everyday New Yorkers and defend our common-sense gun laws,” James said.
In New York, laws regarding the possession of concealed firearms in public have been up in the air for some time now. Four months ago, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a law that made it difficult to obtain a permit to carry a firearm outside the home. In response, New York enacted the Concealed Carry Improvement Act. The act required those who wish to obtain a permit to undergo training and a stringent background check. Under the law, concealed firearms are also outlawed in a number of sensitive areas like airports, bars, concert venues, Times Square, etc. Other portions of the act require business owners to put up signage explicitly stating that concealed weapons are allowed and allow for the implementation of state background checks to accompany federal background checks.
One month after the Concealed Carry Improvement Act went into effect, a federal judge in New York struck down portions of the law and allowed the Gun Owners of America, an advocacy group, to challenge the act legally. Today, the controversial act was reinstated in full until a panel of judges from a circuit court examines the attorney general’s motion.
