Columbus, OH – The Buckeye Institute has taken a stand against New York's Conceal Carry Improvement Act, filing an amicus brief in Antonyuk v. James to challenge the constitutionality of the law. Representing Project 21, a national network of black political, civic, and business leaders, The Buckeye Institute is urging the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case and address the concerns raised by the legislation.
Director of litigation at The Buckeye Institute, David C. Tryon, highlighted the discriminatory nature of the law, stating, "New York’s new laws to carry firearms are little more than a continuation of state laws passed at the turn of the 19th century to prevent African Americans and other racial minorities from exercising their right to bear arms."
Furthermore, The Buckeye Institute referenced a previous case, New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen, where the U.S. Supreme Court condemned the state for infringing on Second Amendment rights. The institute pointed out that New York's requirement for citizens to demonstrate a "special need" to obtain a firearm license was deemed unconstitutional. However, The Buckeye Institute argues that New York has simply replaced "special need" with "essential character" to continue denying certain groups their constitutional right to bear arms.