On Friday, New York lawmakers overhauled the state’s firearm licensing laws, to preserve some limits following a decision by the Supreme Court striking down a century-old state law that required someone to demonstrate a unique threat before being allowed to carry a concealed weapon outside of their homes.
After the Supreme Court’s decision, NY Gov. Kathy Hochul called the legislature back to work. Supporters of the new law, which passed both chambers with huge support, say that it strikes the right balance between keeping firearms out of the hands of those likely to carelessly use them and compliance with the Supreme Court ruling.
The new law will require people who want a license to hand over a list of their social media profiles so that authorities can review their “character and conduct.” The law states that applicants have to demonstrate that they have “the essential character, temperament, and judgment necessary to be entrusted with a weapon and to use it only in a manner that does not endanger oneself and others.”