BREAKING: Federal Judge Blocks Ban on Guns in Times Square and Other "Sensitive" Locations

On Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022, a federal judge dealt a massive blow to New York's repressive new laws on concealed carry.

From the New York Post:

The new state law banning possession of concealed firearms in Times Square by licensed permit holders “does not appear permissible” and shouldn’t be enforced by the NYPD, a federal judge ruled Thursday.

The 53-page decision also struck down several other provisions of the “Concealed Carry Improvement Act” championed by Gov. Kathy Hochul in response to the Supreme Court’s landmark July ruling that overturned a 1913 state gun-control law.

Syracuse federal Judge Glenn Suddaby issued temporary restraining orders against the aspects of the CCIA he found unconstitutional.

The judge saw right through New York's disingenuous arguments about following historical precident in creating the new restrictions on "sensitive places" where residents cannot carry. This was an obvious ploy to prevent people from exercising their right to "bear" arms.

In addition to saying it's not permissible to ban carrying in Times Square, the ruling also said New York could not restrict carry in other "sensitive locations," including healthcare facilities, libraries, playgrounds, parks, zoos, childcare centers, summer camps and homeless shelters.

Again from the New York Post:

“Setting aside the lack of historical analogues supporting these particular provisions, in the Court’s view, the common thread tying them together is the fact that they all regard locations where (1) people typically congregate or visit and (2) law-enforcement or other security professionals are — presumably — readily available,” Suddaby wrote.

“This is precisely the definition of ‘sensitive locations’ that the Supreme Court…considered and rejected.”

It's likely Gov. Hochul will file a challenge. However, this decision shows the powerful effect of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in the Bruen case earlier this year. The court's majority clearly communicated that it was time to stop acting as if the Second Amendment was a second class right.

New York won't give up easily since they appear determined to severely restrict the carrying of firearms. But the courts are no longer allowing lawmakers to run roughshod over constitutional rights.

Dean Rieck is Executive Director of Buckeye Firearms Association, a former competitive shooter, NRA Patron Member, #1 NRA Recruiter for 2013, business owner and partner with Second Call Defense. He is also the host of the Keep and Bear Radio podcast.