The Supreme Court declined to hear challenges to New York’s concealed carry restrictions and upheld the Biden administration’s regulations on “ghost guns,” marking significant victories for gun control advocates while disappointing Second Amendment supporters.
Quick Takes
- The Supreme Court left intact New York’s Concealed Carry Improvement Act, allowing bans on firearms in “sensitive locations” like public transportation, hospitals, and schools.
- The Court also upheld the requirement that handgun owners prove “good moral character” to obtain concealed carry licenses.
- In a separate decision, the Court upheld Biden administration regulations on “ghost guns” in the case Garland v. VanDerStok.
- Some provisions of New York’s law were previously struck down, including requirements to disclose social media accounts and making it a crime to carry guns on private property without owner consent.
- These decisions represent significant developments in post-Bruen Second Amendment jurisprudence.
New York’s Gun Restrictions Remain in Place
The Supreme Court declined to review a challenge to New York’s Concealed Carry Improvement Act, effectively allowing the state to continue enforcing several controversial gun restrictions. The Court provided no explanation for its decision not to take up the case, which leaves in place a lower court ruling that upheld key provisions of the law. The 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals previously ruled that New York could enforce bans on firearms in “sensitive locations” such as public transportation, hospitals, schools, and entertainment venues, while also requiring handgun owners to prove “good moral character” to obtain concealed carry licenses.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul celebrated the Supreme Court’s decision, stating, “New York’s strong gun safety laws save lives.” Her comment reflects the position of gun control advocates who view these restrictions as necessary public safety measures rather than constitutional infringements.
WASHINGTON: The Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge to New York’s gun law, leaving in place restrictions on concealed carry in “sensitive locations” like public transit, parks, hospitals, schools, houses of worship, and entertainment venues. pic.twitter.com/tCFLfXCIV0
— KolHaolam (@KolHaolam) April 8, 2025
The Evolution of New York’s Gun Laws
The current legal landscape stems from the Supreme Court’s landmark 2022 decision that struck down New York’s previous gun regulations limiting carrying guns outside the home to only those with a “special need” for protection. That 6-3 ruling found New York’s century-old Sullivan Act, which required “proper cause” for concealed carry permits, violated both the Second and Fourteenth Amendments. In response, New York lawmakers quickly crafted the Concealed Carry Improvement Act, which expanded access to handgun licenses while simultaneously imposing new restrictions on where guns could be carried.
Not all provisions of New York’s law survived legal scrutiny. The 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals previously struck down requirements for handgun license applicants to disclose their social media accounts and blocked provisions making it a crime to carry a concealed gun on private property without the owner’s explicit consent. These partial invalidations remain in effect, creating a complex regulatory framework for New York gun owners and those seeking concealed carry licenses.
“Ghost Gun” Regulations Withstand Challenge
In a separate but equally significant decision, the Supreme Court upheld Biden administration regulations targeting “ghost guns” in the case Garland v. VanDerStok. The ATF’s Final Rule 2021-05F redefined what constitutes a “firearm” to include partially completed pistol frames and other gun parts that can be readily converted into functional weapons. This rule aims to address concerns about untraceable firearms assembled from kits or 3D-printed components that lack traditional serial numbers and registration.
The Court’s decisions reflect its selective approach to Second Amendment cases since its 2022 Bruen ruling, which established a new standard requiring gun regulations to be consistent with the nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation. While the Court has been willing to uphold certain restrictions, like those on individuals subject to domestic violence restraining orders, it has carefully navigated the complex terrain of gun rights. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh previously noted that states could impose licensing requirements for carrying handguns but needed to provide clear guidelines rather than “open-ended discretion to licensing officials.”
Sources:
Supreme Court declines to hear challenge to New York’s ban on guns in ‘sensitive’ locations
Supreme Court won’t hear challenge to New York’s ‘sensitive locations’ gun control law
SCOTUS Declines Challenge to New York Concealed Carry Restrictions
