Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

APPEARS IN News

Update: Further Dispatches from New York’s War on Guns

Monday, September 26, 2022

Update: Further Dispatches from New York’s War on Guns

Speaking about her new gun control legislation, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul claimed that “we took swift and thoughtful action to keep New Yorkers safe…. we will continue leading the way forward and implementing common sense gun safety legislation,” adding “our smart, sensible gun laws will go into effect as planned … on September 1.” 

We’ve written before about how recent gun control measures are being implemented in the Empire State. By now, it is evident that the “smart, sensible” and “common sense” law has given rise to a host of unforeseen consequences that inhibit licensed gun owners and responsible citizens engaged in legitimate activities rather than the violent criminals and illegal guns causing the crisis in public safety.  

One such casualty of Hochul’s “thoughtful” legislation was the Chautauqua County American Legion’s annual 9/11 remembrance ceremony, traditionally conducted at the county courthouse. Because the law prohibits the possession of a firearm at a “sensitive location” (a long list that includes any place owned or under the control of a federal, state or local government, like courthouses), this year the Honor Guard’s 21-gun salute had to be moved to offsite private property, a local gas station across the street. The commander of the American Legion Post points out the additional repercussions: “[n]ot only does this law affect ceremonies such as the 9/11 ceremony, but [it] also will prevent Memorial Day ceremonies, and most importantly, military honors at the graveside of our veterans.”

Historical reenactment events in public parks and other “sensitive locations” are on hold now, too. News reports indicate that Fort Klock Historic Restoration has cancelled its event in St. Johnsville, NY in early October because of the new gun ban. The group is a nonprofit “educational institution chartered by the New York State Education Department Board of Regents,” with the primary goal of preserving and accurately interpreting the history of a unique national landmark that dates back to the Revolutionary War.

Although Governor Hochul’s office has allegedly advised that historical reenactments are not affected by the new law and “there should be no concern” in proceeding, an attorney consulted by the newspaper warns that the statute nonetheless applies to antique firearms brought into a sensitive location. With respect to the governor’s assurance, he responds that “[n]o lawyer would recommend an individual to follow the word of any leader or individual when the law is very clear that this is illegal.”

Another murky area is whether gun shows held in publicly-owned spaces like fairgrounds and convention centers are permitted under the law. The largest gun show in the state was held in the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse this month, and one organizer indicated that the new law was “confusing and hard to interpret.” The Governor’s office was (again) asked to clarify whether the location fell within the “sensitive locations” category, and in a non-answer answer responded that: “The new gun safety law allows gun shows to occur, and organizations hosting these events should work with property owners and vendors to ensure they can legally and safely proceed.”   

What is undisputable under the law is that owners and lessees of private property that falls within the definition of a “sensitive location” have no choice at all about guns being banned on their own premises. In New York City, police have contacted licensed gun owners to remind them that possession or carrying a firearm in any place the legislation designates as a “sensitive location” is forbidden – even as “major crime skyrockets …in NYC.” The police letter states, “If your business is in a sensitive location, … you are no longer able to lawfully possess a firearm at that location,” and directs owners to turn in their gun at “your local precinct in order for it to be safeguarded for you.” Those who are reluctant to entrust their firearms to the police are advised to make arrangements with a federal firearms licensee for storage, or remove the gun to a location where possession and storage are not prohibited.

Noncompliance with this premises ban, like the failure to ensure that an event or activity may legally proceed under the “smart” and “thoughtful” location restrictions, invites prosecution and conviction for criminal possession of a gun, a Class E felony punishable by up to four years in prison.   

Intended or not, these consequences are all part of a politically motivated agenda that views firearms as unacceptable and Second Amendment rights as unnecessary, in the same way that patriotic observances are considered to be faintly ridiculous, if not worse. Commenting on the cancelled historical reenactments, no less than the editorial board of the New York Daily News sneered that while “the geniuses up in Albany should look carefully at the law and clarify any ambiguity,” “the pretending-to-be-wounded reenactors should stop complaining and realize that no one in black helicopters or jackboots is coming to shut down their quaint little costume dramas.”

One New York State politician is unsurprised by these developments, observing that Hochul’s law was enacted in a “middle of the night” rush, “without public comment and without the chance for lawmakers to fully understand the implications of the law,” and absent evidence that legal gun owners play any part in New York’s violent crimes. Now, just days after the law took effect, state legislators are backtracking to patch up problems in the “smart, sensible” and “thoughtful” law (here and here, for instance), with a looming cloud of litigation already on the horizon. 

TRENDING NOW
Baltimore Gets Serious on Crime Control, and the Results Speak for Themselves

News  

Monday, July 14, 2025

Baltimore Gets Serious on Crime Control, and the Results Speak for Themselves

As the mid-year mark of 2025 hits, a promising report on crime trends has come out of the City of Baltimore. Surprising news at first glance until you dig deeper into the policy direction the ...

U.K. Moves to Legally De-suppress Suppressors

News  

Monday, July 14, 2025

U.K. Moves to Legally De-suppress Suppressors

On July 4th, President Donald Trump signed into law his “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which included a provision that eliminated the tax stamp fee of $200, but did not deregulate suppressors under the National Firearms ...

President Trump Supports Hunting and Resource Protection with Executive Actions

News  

Monday, July 14, 2025

President Trump Supports Hunting and Resource Protection with Executive Actions

Just as the United States was preparing to celebrate 249 beautiful years, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order on July 3rd establishing the “Make America Beautiful Again" Commission supporting hunters, outdoorsmen, and outdoor recreationists by prioritizing the ...

Legacy Media Finally Acknowledges Politization of Public Health

News  

Monday, July 14, 2025

Legacy Media Finally Acknowledges Politization of Public Health

It appears the editors of The Atlantic are finally willing to entertain an idea that has long been obvious to gun rights supporters.

House Annual Appropriations Process Update

News  

Monday, July 14, 2025

House Annual Appropriations Process Update

As the House Appropriations Committee is putting together legislation to fund the government, NRA-ILA has worked closely with policy makers to ensure several long-standing priorities for gun owners were included in the underlying bills.

U.S. House Passes Reconciliation Bill, Removing Suppressors from the National Firearms Act

News  

Second Amendment  

Thursday, May 22, 2025

U.S. House Passes Reconciliation Bill, Removing Suppressors from the National Firearms Act

Earlier today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R.1 the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which included Section 2 of the Hearing Protection Act, completely removing suppressors from the National Firearms Act (NFA).

DOJ Declines to Seek Supreme Court Review of Decision Striking Down Federal Laws Prohibiting FFLs From Selling Handguns to 18-to-20-Year-Olds

Thursday, July 10, 2025

DOJ Declines to Seek Supreme Court Review of Decision Striking Down Federal Laws Prohibiting FFLs From Selling Handguns to 18-to-20-Year-Olds

In Reese v. ATF, the Fifth Circuit held that 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(b)(1) and (c)(1)—which together forbid Federal Firearms Licensees from selling handguns to 18-to-20-year-olds—violate the Second Amendment.

NRA-ILA July 2025 Litigation Update

Thursday, July 10, 2025

NRA-ILA July 2025 Litigation Update

In the second quarter of 2025, the National Rifle Association filed two cert petitions in the U.S. Supreme Court and five amicus briefs, while continuing to litigate dozens of ongoing lawsuits across the country.

Florida: Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday Signed by Governor

Monday, July 7, 2025

Florida: Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday Signed by Governor

Governor Ron DeSantis recently signed the Florida Budget for Fiscal Year 2025–2026, which includes a Second Amendment sales tax holiday from September 8 through December 31, 2025. The NRA is thankful for Governor DeSantis’ strong ...

Maine: Lawmakers Call for Anti-2A Progressive Professor to Be Fired

Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Maine: Lawmakers Call for Anti-2A Progressive Professor to Be Fired

In case you missed the media firestorm last week, a progressive professor at Eastern Maine Community College in Bangor, Maine, has come under fire for her emails belittling a student for her religious beliefs and views ...

MORE TRENDING +
LESS TRENDING -

More Like This From Around The NRA

NRA ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.