New York’s new gun laws take effect

New York’s new gun laws are in effect Thursday.

The laws ban concealed carry in so-called “sensitive locations,” require social media monitoring, and impose new training requirements for gun owners.

Lawmakers drafted the laws in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to strike down New York’s gun law restricting concealed carry — a ruling that Gov. Hochul promised to stifle.

New York is limiting concealed carry in what it calls “sensitive locations,” including places like bars, libraries, schools, government buildings, hospitals, and houses of worship. The state is also tightening background checks, and requiring gun safety and live-fire training for people applying for concealed carry permits.

Law Enforcement Concerns

Law enforcement across the state has spoken out against the laws. Many gun owners have said the gun laws are confusing. Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple believes people won’t be any safer. He was hoping a court would stay the laws before they go into effect. However, they survived one legal challenge Wednesday.

“Someone who’s doing something illegal is going to continue to do something illegal. Changing the laws, they don’t read the laws, right?”

Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple

“Someone who’s doing something illegal is going to continue to do something illegal. Changing the laws, they don’t read the laws, right? We’re still going to have what we have today, unfortunately, going on in the city of Albany and in the city of Troy and the city of Schenectady and rural areas. It’s everywhere. Crime is increased,” Apple said.

Apple says his office had seen an influx of people clamoring to get their permit issued before Thursday’s new limitations took effect. However, he called that “totally unrealistic” and said the permits take months to get.

National gun safety groups have applauded the laws. Hochul called them “critical protections.”

Read frequently asked questions about the gun laws here.