In New York: A law banning guns in bars and subways remains in effect

The US Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld a New York state law that limits the right to carry guns in “sensitive places,” such as Times Square, schools, bars and hospitals. This law was adopted this summer by New York State and City authorities in response to a historic gun license ruling handed down in June by the conservative majority of the High Court (six out of nine judges).

With this decision he had invalidated a local law that had limited, since 1913, the issuance of permits to carry weapons to New Yorkers who could demonstrate that they had a real need for protection. In passing, he had sanctioned the right of Americans to leave the house armed, authorizing only “reasonable” exceptions in respect of “the history and traditions of the United States”.

Eight days later, New York lawmakers introduced this new law that prohibited the carrying of a concealed handgun in a variety of locations, including subways, stadiums, some businesses… The gun lobby Gun Owners of America and the gun owners immediately took legal action.

In the fall, judges blocked sections of the text, but a federal appeals court ruled that they could remain in effect until substantive debate was concluded. The defenders of the right to bear arms therefore urgently turned to the Supreme Court.

In an unjustified decision, a majority of his judges declined to intervene at this stage. Two of them, Conservatives Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas, stressed that this decision was simply meant to “respect” the Court of Appeal by giving it time to decide on the merits. “The plaintiffs should not be deterred by today’s decision” and can appeal again to the Supreme Court if the Court of Appeals does not rule quickly, they added.