New York Attorney General Letitia James has expressed satisfaction following a decision by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, which upheld most provisions of the Concealed Carry Improvement Act (CCIA). This ruling came after a review requested by the U.S. Supreme Court in May 2024.
Attorney General James stated, "This decision is another victory in our effort to protect all New Yorkers from the scourge of gun violence. After repeated attempts to weaken our gun safety regulations, once again we have prevailed. Commonsense gun safety legislation helps protect New Yorkers, and my office will always stand up to defend these laws. As Attorney General, I will use all the tools at my disposal to help remove dangerous weapons from New York communities and to keep our state’s residents safe."
The court's decision ensures that key elements of the CCIA remain active. These include requirements for concealed carry permit applicants to demonstrate good moral character and disclose household members on their applications. The ruling also maintains a ban on carrying concealed weapons in sensitive locations, except places of worship. Furthermore, private property owners are allowed to prohibit firearms on their premises through signage.
The law requires applicants to undergo an in-person interview, provide character references, and complete 16 hours of training. The CCIA was enacted in September 2022 after the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen aimed at enhancing concealed carry permit regulations for public safety.