The New York state Senate approved sweeping legislation Friday afternoon that would ban concealed weapons from so-called “sensitive locations” like Times Square, public transit and other venues — while requiring gun permit applicants to provide to the state information about their social media accounts. as character references. “That to me is the epitome of what it means to be an American. In honor of the July 4th weekend, I look forward to signing the legislation as soon as it is completed,” Governor Kathy Hochsul said at a news conference after the vote. The Assembly was on track to pass the bill and send it to Hochul’s desk by Friday afternoon. Debate on the bill began early Friday, one day after the start of a special legislative session called by Hochul — a delay attributed to last-minute negotiations on a concept deal touted by the governor earlier in the week. “This is a very nocturnal place,” Hochul said of the latest bill’s middle-of-the-night language — par for the course in a state Capitol where lawmakers often get little briefing before voting on controversial bills. The special session follows a controversial U.S. Supreme Court ruling last week that struck down a century-old state law that required applicants to be allowed to give “adequate cause” for wanting to pack heat. Democratic lawmakers have vowed to strengthen the gun permit application process after the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn New York’s regulation.William Farrington The 6-3 decision gave states leeway to restrict guns from “sensitive” places while maintaining licensing processes based on objective criteria. “We’re confident that we’re providing New York, again, an opportunity to not only be able to have their concealed carry, but to make New Yorkers safe,” Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins ​​told reporters. (D-Yonkers). Friday. Gun carriers will be banned from carrying weapons on public transport such as the subway.ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images Among other information, potential firearms owners will be required to disclose all social media accounts maintained in the last three years, as well as provide references attesting to their “good moral character.” Permit applicants will also have to complete at least 16 hours of in-person training, and private businesses will be prohibited from firearms unless their owners post conspicuous signage indicating otherwise. Guns will also be banned from places of worship, public transportation, sports venues, parks, libraries, government buildings, playgrounds, entertainment venues, protests and businesses that serve alcohol, among other places. Governor Kathy Hochul pledged to sign the permit application legislation immediately. Mike Groll/Office of the Governor KaState Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins ​​vowed to keep “New Yorkers safe.” AP Photo/Hans Pennink Another provision of the bill expands the recently implemented ban on bulletproof vests to include body armor like the one used by a racist gunman as he targeted black shoppers at a Buffalo supermarket on May 14. Future ammunition purchases will require future background checks under the new law, with information about the buyer’s “date, name, age, occupation and residence” entered into a state database, according to the legislation. While expressing confidence in the constitutionality of the new gun law, Albany Democrats said they still expect plenty of legal challenges from pro-gun groups. Hochul is expected to sign the legislation soon after it passes both houses of the Legislature, but Albany Democrats expect plenty of legal challenges from pro-gun groups. “They didn’t just step up to the line. They violated the Supreme Court’s decision,” said Tom King, president of the New York State Rifle and Pistol Association, the plaintiff in the Supreme Court case.
Gun permit holders will not be allowed to possess weapons in Times Square. Assembly Speaker Christopher Sadowski, Carl Heastie, argued that Albany lawmakers still have authority over how gun licenses are issued.AP Photo/Hans Pennink “The Supreme Court said you can still have criteria for how [permits] are being issued,” Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D-Bronx) told reporters Friday. “And so we think that’s consistent with what we’re allowed to do.”