Supreme Court Strikes Down New York’s Concealed Carry Gun Law In 6-3 Vote

The Supreme Court threw out a New York gun law in a 6-3 ruling on Thursday morning that will allow people to legally carry concealed weapons outside the home without demonstrating a reason for needing it in order to get a license.

The ruling holds large ramifications as other states that have similar laws including California and Massachusetts, both states with densely populated cities that struggle with gun violence. The decision also comes as the Senate is making efforts to pass a bipartisan gun safety bill in response to last month’s devastating mass shootings in Buffalo, New York, and Uvalde, Texas, where 31 people in total were killed.

One of the most conservative justices on the bench, Justice Clarence Thomas, wrote the majority opinion. He wrote that the Constitution protects “an individual’s right to carry a handgun for self-defense outside the home.”

New York leaders instantly criticized the Supreme Court’s ruling.

“It is outrageous that at a moment of national reckoning on gun violence, the Supreme Court has recklessly struck down a New York law that limits those who can carry concealed weapons,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) wrote on Twitter.

“In response to this ruling, we are closely reviewing our options – including calling a special session of the legislature,” she added. “Just as we swiftly passed nation-leading gun reform legislation, I will continue to do everything in my power to keep New Yorkers safe from gun violence.”

New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) was also displeased with the ruling.

“Put simply, this Supreme Court ruling will put New Yorkers at further risk of gun violence,” the mayor wrote. “We have been preparing for this decision and will continue to do everything possible to work with our federal, state, and local partners to protect our city.”