Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Parts of NY gun law temporarily blocked on eve of Election Day
By
Samantha Max
Published Nov 7, 2022
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
JUSTIN LANE/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
By
Samantha Max
Published Nov 7, 2022
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A federal district judge has temporarily blocked multiple sections of New York’s new concealed carry law on the eve of Election Day.
Judge Glenn T. Suddaby of Syracuse ruled that the state can still prevent people from carrying guns in Times Square, public playgrounds, libraries, nurseries and preschools. But mental hospitals, places of worship, public parks, zoos, theaters, conference centers, protests and bars are no longer off limits. A section of the law barring permit holders from carrying guns in other “restricted locations” was blocked as well.
The judge also ruled that permit applicants should not be required to prove that they have “good moral character,” provide names and contact information for their partners and roommates or provide a list of their social media accounts from the last three years.
In a 184-page decision, Suddaby said that the plaintiffs — six New Yorkers who hope to obtain concealed carry permits — had “made a strong showing that they will likely experience irreparable harm” if the law is allowed to stand.
Lawmakers passed the Concealed Carry Improvement Act over the summer after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a law that had limited New Yorker’s access to firearms outside of their homes for more than a century. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed it into law just days after the ruling.
At least eight lawsuits have been filed challenging the legislation in the months since. Hochul had been named as a plaintiff in the lawsuit at the center of Monday’s rulings, but Suddaby dropped her name from the case.
Attorney General Letitia James’ office, which is defending the law in court, had asked the judge to either apply the ruling only to the six people who brought the suit, or to pause its effects for at least three business days, so that it would have time to appeal. Suddaby denied that request, meaning that, at least for now, the state cannot enforce certain aspects of the law.
Still, this is just one of many twists in the legal maze taking shape as officials in favor of stronger gun safety laws go up against second amendment supporters who hope to make it easier for New Yorkers to exercise their constitutional rights. A higher court blocked a similar ruling by the same judge last month.
A spokesperson for the attorney general’s office said in a text message that it is reviewing the decision and considering its options.
Tagged
new york state
public safety
Kathy Hochul
Politics
news
Samantha Max
Samantha reports on whether New Yorkers feel safe and whether the institutions that are supposed to protect them are working. Before coming to WNYC/Gothamist, she spent three years covering the criminal justice system in Tennessee for Nashville Public Radio. Her reporting on Nashville's police department received multiple awards, including the Daniel Schorr Journalism Prize. Samantha was also part of the inaugural class of Report for America, a service journalism program that sends up-and-coming reporters to local newsrooms across the country. She is a Northwestern University grad, a Baltimore native and fluent in Spanish. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or Signal: samanthamaxwnyc.93.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Man shot and killed on Midtown subway platform Saturday afternoon, NYPD says
Police said they're searching for a person of interest.
By
Ryan Kost
and
Elizabeth Kim
Published Oct 17, 2026
Modified Oct 17, 2026 at 4:10 p.m. ET
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
Suspects were driving a Subaru Forester, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
News
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
Suspects were driving a Subaru Forester, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans, but we could get used to this.
By
Catalina Gonella
Tompkins Square Park is getting a makeover. Some say it's too much.
By
Willow Higgins
Deer are all over New Jersey roads looking for sex, state officials warn
By
Rosemary Misdary
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .