NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — New York City on Wednesday announced the filing of an amicus brief with the United States Supreme Court as it prepares to take up a case that could have a big impact on local gun laws.
The Supreme Court is set to take up a challenge to a New York law that requires anyone filing for a concealed carry permit to demonstrate “proper cause” – meaning the person must prove they have a special need for self-protection.
The case was brought by two residents after their concealed-carry applications were rejected by the state.
Now, Mayor Bill de Blasio is urging SCOTUS to consider all the work that has been done to get guns off the streets of New York.
“The safety of New Yorkers is our highest priority,” said de Blasio. “As the NYPD works hard to tackle the rise in shootings, we cannot allow more guns on our streets. Our gun laws are common-sense, and I urge the Supreme Court to uphold them to protect New Yorkers from the scourge of gun violence.”
The law establishing “proper cause” has been on the books in New York State since 1913. De Blasio noted that the case is likely being pushed by the National Rifle Association now, given the current makeup of the court – a 6-3 conservative majority.
“I am very concerned that the NRA is very, very consciously trying to bring this case now because of the composition of the court,” de Blasio stressed.
NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea joined de Blasio in pushing for the “proper cause” requirement to remain in place.
“New York City’s status as the safest big city in the nation was earned in no small part due to our common-sense state gun laws,” said Shea. “Those laws are the basis of New York City’s constitutionally sound permitting process for those seeking to legally carry firearms. The NYPD’s licensing process ensures that concealed carry permits are issued to individuals who demonstrate a need for such a permit. Eliminating that requirement will only increase the number of guns on our streets, the number of shootings, the number of unintended victims and accidental shootings by untrained armed people. It will increase the danger to both citizens and police.”
The Supreme Court case could also impact a similar law in New Jersey.
The upcoming case will mark the first time that the Supreme Court has heard arguments pertaining to the Second Amendment in roughly a decade.
Arguments are set for early November with a decision likely coming in June 2022.