Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, Gun Owners of America (GOA) and the Gun Owners Foundation (GOF) filed a federal lawsuit in the Northern District of New York over the recently enacted Concealed Carry Improvement Act. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of a GOA member from Schenectady County.
Among other alarming provisions flouting recent Supreme Court precedent, this law will require concealed carry permit applicants to:
- Display “good moral character”
- Disclose their social media accounts for review
- Have in person interviews with law enforcement
- Provide four “character references”
- Undergo 18 hours of combined training, an tremendous increase from the existing 4-hour requirement
Frustratingly, and despite the clear edict from the U.S. Supreme Court last month, it appears that anti-gunners in Albany have no intention of adhering to the rules and will continue to illegally restrict the rights of law-abiding Americans.
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Erich Pratt, GOA’s Senior Vice President, issued the following statement:
“Instead of acknowledging the clear line in the sand drawn by the U.S. Supreme Court, Governor Hochul and the radical anti-gunners in Albany are doubling down on nearly every front to restrict the rights of their citizens to carry arms for self-defense. Especially when crime is on the rise in places like New York City, GOA stands ready to fight for Americans’ right to defend themselves in public when danger rises.”
Sam Paredes, on behalf of the Board of Directors for the Gun Owners Foundation, added:
“Given the rampant anti-Second Amendment sentiment in New York, we were not surprised that new attempts to tip-toe around the clear SCOTUS precedent would come, and GOF was well prepared to step in to defend the rights of New Yorkers. We are confident that we will fully defeat this comprehensive gun restriction package in Court.”
The moral character, in-person interview and references (though post Bruen perhaps now improper and illegal) have always been in the state requirements. The state could not and can not require range training because state law prohibits anyone touching a “firearm” without a license. I don’t see where they changed that in the new law so the requirement cannot be fulfilled. They are stupid enough not to realize it but it could certainly be intentional. The worst provisions are where they attempt to define “sensitive areas” as basically everywhere including all private businesses…CLEARLY in violation of the text of the opiniuon and concurrences..They should also be sued under 42 U.S. Code § 1983 – Civil action for deprivation of rights, and criminal action against Hocheul et. al. also under TITLE 18, U.S.C., SECTION 242
Hmmm where is the NRA in these kind of cases?! I guess LaPiere needs a couple of new suits or a family vacation. Wouldn’t want to waste money on lawsuits when LaPiere needs new suits!!
Perhaps removing the armed guards that “shadow” political figures would be a good start! Starting with the stupid Governor!