Federal Appeals Court Strikes Down Parts of N.Y. Concealed Carry Law While Upholding Other Parts

After a federal appeals court ruled yesterday on New York’s restrictive “Concealed Carry Improvement Act,” Fox News put a positive spin on the ruling (from the point of view of Second Amendment supporters) with its headline, “Gun right group applauds after federal appeals court deals blow to NY concealed carry law.”

The group referenced in the headline is the pro-Second Amendment Gun Owners of America.

However, the Courthouse News Service put a very different spin on the ruling in its headline: “Second Circuit upholds bulk of New York concealed-carry law.”

And yes, both sources were reporting on the identical ruling, which was issued by the U.S. court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

So, to what extent does the ruling support, or trample upon, the Second Amendment, which states in full, “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed”?

On the one hand, as summarized by Fox News, the ruling “struck down a requirement that gun owners disclose their social media accounts for review when applying for a concealed carry permit. The court also blocked restrictions on carrying firearms on private property that is accessible to the public, as well as a restriction on concealed carry in houses of worship.”

But on the other hand, as Fox News also noted, “controversial parts of the law remain intact, including a requirement that applicants demonstrate good moral character and disclose household and family members on a permit application. New York will also be allowed to enforce bans on concealed carry in so-called ‘sensitive places,’ including theaters, bars, public parks and other spaces.”

To see the actual ruling, click here.