New York goes back to court over concealed carry restrictions passed after SCOTUS defeat

A gun rights organization is suing New York over tight restrictions the state imposed on concealed carry permit holders after the Supreme Court in late June struck down state provisions restricting the issuance of such licenses.

Gun Owners of America, a guns owner's advocacy group has filed suit against the Concealed Carry Improvement Act which will take effect on Sept. 1, according to the Epoch Times.

The CCIA imposed tight restrictions on the concealed carry of firearms by lawful permitting holders, barring gun possession in "sensitive locations" such as government offices, healthcare facilities, schools, public transportation, restaurants, churches, camps, and a bevy of other venues. The state also will require applicants to submit character references, spousal contact information, periodic background checks, and their social media history.

The June Supreme Court ruling saw the judicial body eliminate the state's rule requiring that concealed carry permit applicants demonstrate a need to carry a firearm.

"The New York "proper cause" requirement violates the Constitution because it allows only public-carry licenses when an applicant shows a special need for self-defense," Associate Justice Clarence Thomas wrote.

New York lawmakers passed the CCIA in the aftermath of the court ruling. Gun owner Ivan Antonyuk and GOA, along with its affiliate organizations, assert in the complaint that the state set forth “several blatantly unconstitutional new infringements of the enumerated right to keep and bear arms," per the Epoch Times.

GOA board member Sam Paredes told the times the group was optimistic the suit would prevail, calling the CCIA "an angry, vicious response to the Supreme Court ruling."

“We are confident that we will pretty much overturn everything they did in this legislative package because they were clearly in violation of the direct ruling in New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen,” he added.

New York State Police declined to comment to the Times on the suit.