A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order on Thursday against parts of New York state’s latest gun control law which prohibits gun owners with concealed carry permits from carrying in so-called “sensitive places,” including Times Square.
In an email to American Military News, the Second Amendment advocacy group Gun Owners of America (GOA) said it, along with the Gun Owners Foundation (GOF), secured the restraining order in federal court. The decision comes after GOA and GOF refiled a lawsuit against New York State.
The restraining order will take effect next week.
“Anti-gunners like Kathy Hochul and Eric Adams lied and misrepresented the Second Amendment to the courts, putting New Yorkers at a great disadvantage in the midst of rising crime,” GOA’s Senior Vice President Erich Pratt said in a statement. “We are grateful to Judge Suddaby for his quick action to restore the right of the people to keep and bear arms. Once the TRO goes into effect, GOA encourages New Yorkers to exercise their rights and to defend themselves and the ones they love.”
The decision comes after officials said new “Gun Free Zone” signs would be displayed at “every entry point” to Times Square in New York City beginning on Thursday, Sept. 1.
In July, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a new law restricting where gun owners can carry a concealed weapon. The gun control law established a list of “sensitive locations” – also known as a “Gun Free Zone” – where it is unlawful to carry a “firearm, rifle or shotgun,” even if an individual has a concealed carry permit.
The locations include:
- Houses of Worship
- Public Transportation
- Airports
- Entertainment venues
- Bars and restaurants that serve alcohol
- Times Square
- Polling sites
- Educational institutions
- Daycares, playgrounds and places where children gather
- Libraries
- All government buildings
- Courthouses
- Health and medical facilities
- Emergency shelters, including homeless, youth, or domestic violence centers
- Public demonstrations and rallies
