“I just signed a new law to keep New Yorkers safe — even in the face of a monumental failure by the Supreme Court,” he said in a tweet that thanked lawmakers for their “fast work and cooperation to pass these critical reforms for gun safety. “Lawmakers recorded the final text of the bill on Thursday and brought the bill up for a vote on Friday after some debate — drawing criticism from Republicans for the short turnaround. The state Senate approved the bill 43-20 on Friday on a party-line vote and the state assembly approved the legislation Friday afternoon 91-51. The new law includes a strict permitting process for obtaining a concealed carry permit and a list of locations deemed “sensitive” — including Times Square — where firearms will be illegal, according to the legislative text. Other areas designated as sensitive include government buildings, schools, health care facilities, places of worship and public transportation. People who carry a gun in a prohibited location could be charged with a felony under the law. During a news conference earlier Friday in Albany, Hochul shared the impetus behind the legislation and some of its details. “With the stroke of a pen, (the Supreme Court) removed long-standing restrictions that we could use in New York state to make intelligent decisions about who should have the right to bear arms,” Hotchul said. “We believe gun laws like these have made New York safer.” The law establishes a strict licensing process for concealed carry permits. It requires background checks on ammunition sales, a policy Hochul has said is not intended to target legal gun owners. Under the law, gun owners would be required to store firearms in secure places in their residences if minors under the age of 18 live in the home — an increase from the previously set age of 16. Democratic leaders have said they expect gun advocates to challenge the legislation in court — but believe the bill’s language will hold up. New York Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said during a news conference Friday that lawmakers crafted the language carefully after the Supreme Court’s ruling. “We wanted to make sure that the licensing process could stand up to scrutiny, and the technical aspects took a lot of time. But we’re confident that we’re providing New York, again, an opportunity not only to be able to have their concealed carry, but to to keep New Yorkers safe,” Stewart-Cousins said. Last week, the Supreme Court struck down New York’s gun law that required a resident to obtain a permit to carry a concealed handgun or revolver in public and show that there was “good cause” for the permit. Applicants had to show a “real and distinct” need for self-defense, as opposed to one that is “speculative or sinister.” In the wake of the Supreme Court ruling, Hochul called it “shocking” and “terrifying in its scope of how they are undermining this nation and our ability to protect our citizens.” He added that it was “particularly painful” that the decision “came out at this time, when we are still dealing with families hurting from mass shootings that have occurred — the loss of life, their beloved children and their grandchildren.” In May, a gunman opened fire at a Buffalo, New York supermarket in a predominantly black neighborhood, killing 10 people in a shooting that authorities say was a racial hate crime. The governor called state lawmakers into a special session this week to pass gun legislation. Last month, Hochul signed a legislative package to tighten gun laws, including one that raised the minimum age to purchase a semi-automatic rifle to 21. This headline and story have been updated with additional details on Friday. CNN’s Mirna Alsharif contributed to this report.
