From the BBC:
“New York
overhauls gun laws after Supreme Court ruling”
New York has
passed emergency legislation to ban guns from many public places, following
last month's landmark Supreme Court ruling which struck down the state's
restrictions. The rules also require gun buyers to prove they can use a gun and
submit social media accounts for review. Analysts say the new restrictions may
end up in a fresh legal challenge. The Supreme Court's ruling, effectively
expanding gun rights, is its most important on guns in over a decade. There is
fierce national debate over the issue - mainly between Republicans who are more
in favour of gun ownership and Democrats who want stricter curbs. The political
divisions were deepened by high-profile shootings at a primary school in
Uvalde, Texas, and a grocery store in Buffalo, New York, in May. However, the
violence prompted a rare bipartisan effort which resulted in the most
significant US federal gun control bill in nearly 30 years. It imposes tougher
checks on young buyers and encourages states to remove guns from people
considered a threat.
The New
York law which comes into force on 1 September envisages:
A ban on
carrying firearms in "sensitive places", including New York City's
Times Square - but also schools, universities, government buildings, public
protest venues, healthcare facilities, places of worship, libraries,
playgrounds, parks, bars, theatres, stadiums, museums, polling places and
casinos
People will
not be allowed to take guns into any business or workplace unless owners put up
signs saying guns are welcome
Those applying
for a licence will have to provide four character references, take firearms
safety training and practice shooting, undergo periodic background checks and
turn over contact information for their spouse, domestic partner or any other
adults living in their household Applicants will have to turn over a list of
social media accounts they have had in the past three years "Sometimes,
they're telegraphing their intent to cause harm to others," New York
Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, said at a news conference.
^ I agree with
the character references, taking firearm safety training and undergoing
background checks, but I see the turning over of social media accounts to New
York State as one of those barriers that will be highly challenged in the
courts and possibly over-turned. It seems like a step too far in the wrong
direction. I could see making someone convicted of Domestic Abuse, a Crime,
etc. having to show their social media accounts, but not the whole population
of New York. ^
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