New York is beginning to crack down on gun laws with a possible new policy. If passed new applicants will require to go through an extra step to obtain a gun permit. New applicants will need to show a list of all their social media accounts for the last three years. This will provide a verification of "character and conduct". It is to help eliminate those who could face danger to others or themselves.
To carry a gun that is only the beginning of a list of necessary hoops they will need to jump through. The Democrat run bill includes four character references will be needed as well as 16 hours of firearms safety training, 2 hours at the range, periodic background checks, and also mention what adults live in their house (spouse, partner, etc.). The executive director of the New York State Firearms association said the bill would make the Gestapo and Communist China happy. In his recent interview, he said it was unconstitutional and that this would not hold up in court. Gun rights advocates have even expressed frustrations over the bill.
Even though there is a whole process to go through to be able to carry a handgun many places may not allow it. Businesses will have the option to decide whether they allow guns or they will not allow guns by placing signs on their windows. If there is no sign this will mean that guns are not allowed and if someone is carrying they could get a felony charge. On top of businesses deciding what they believe NewsMax and U.S News provided a list of the "sensitive places" where people cannot carry a gun:
"New York Times Square, schools, universities, government buildings, places where people have gathered for public protests, health care facilities, places of worship, libraries, public playgrounds and parks, daycare centers, summer camps, addiction and mental health centers, shelters, public transit, bars, theaters, stadiums, museums, polling places and casinos."
Governor Hochul also brought up the Buffalo Shooter. Part of the purpose of this bill is to not go through another Buffalo shooter situation where he had written a hate-filled message that was a private "diary". It was released to a few people before he went out and killed with his assault-styled rifle. However, the part that New York Governor Hochul missed was that someone did shoot the Buffalo shooter but due to armor the shooter continued with no injury (which this bill will also cover body armor that can or cannot be purchased). This bill may make it harder for many good people to obtain a gun in order to protect themselves and others like Aaron Salter. It will be interesting to see if this will end up in court or if it will get passed.