Gun Permit Process In NY Could Include Social Media Check

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ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York would require people applying for a handgun license to turn over a list of their social media accounts so officials could verify their “character and conduct” under a bill being considered Friday by the state Legislature.

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The provision was part of a proposed redesign of the state’s firearms licensing laws hammered out by lawmakers after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down rules severely limiting who could get a permit to carry a handgun outside their home.

A bill advanced by Democratic leaders would eliminate the most strict barriers to getting a permit but also impose new requirements for applicants.

Among the requirements: Applicants would have to show they have “the essential character, temperament and judgement necessary to be entrusted with a weapon and to use it only in a manner that does not endanger oneself and others,” according to the bill.

And as part of that assessment of good character, the bill says, the applicant has to turn over a list of any social media accounts they have had in the past three years “to confirm the information regarding the applicant’s character and conduct.”

Applicants would also have to provide four character references, take 16 hours of firearms safety training plus two hours of practice at a range, undergo periodic background checks and turn over the contact information of their spouse, domestic partner or any other adults living in their household.

The bill didn’t specify whether applicants would be required to provide licensing officers with access to private social media accounts not visible to the general public.

The idea that the state would let licensing officials review an applicant’s speech as a condition of getting a license infuriated gun rights advocates.

“This is the kind of bill that the Gestapo would be proud of. This is the kind of bill you’d see in Communist China,” said Aaron Dorr, the executive director of the New York State Firearms Association. “This will never survive a court challenge. This is the kind of concept that would pass in those countries.”

Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, released the text of the legislation early Friday morning as the Legislature continued a special legislative session called with the intent of overhauling its century-old rules for carrying guns in public.

The Supreme Court ruling struck down a previous rule requiring people to demonstrate an unusual threat to their safety to get a license to carry a handgun outside their homes. That restriction generally limited the licenses to people who had worked in law enforcement or had another special need that went beyond routine public safety concerns.

Under the new system, the state wouldn’t authorize permits for people with criminal convictions within the past five years for driving while intoxicated, menacing or third-degree assault.

People also wouldn’t be allowed to carry firearms at a long list of “sensitive places,” including New York City’s tourist-packed Times Square.

That list also includes schools, universities, government buildings, places where people have gathered for public protests, health care facilities, places of worship, libraries, public playgrounds and parks, day care centers, summer camps, addiction and mental health centers, shelters, public transit, bars, theaters, stadiums, museums, polling places and casinos.

New York would also bar people from bringing guns into any business or workplace unless the owners put up signage saying guns are welcome. People who bring guns into places without such a sign could be prosecuted on felony charges.

That’s a reverse approach from many other states where businesses that want to keep guns out are usually required to post signs indicating weapons aren’t allowed.

Gun advocates said the bill infringes on rights upheld by the Supreme Court.

“Now we’re going to let the pizzeria owner decide whether or not I can express my constitutional right,” said Sen. Andrew Lanza, a Staten Island Republican. “This is a disgrace. See you in the courts. You all know this is unconstitutional. You all know this is just a ruse. Another attempt to say to the people of the state of New York: ‘We don’t trust you.’”

The bill would also fix a recently passed law that barred sales of some types of bullet-resistant vests to the general public, but inadvertently left out many types of body armor, including the type worn by a gunman who killed 10 Black people in a racist attack on a Buffalo supermarket.

Democratic lawmakers, who control supermajorities in both legislative chambers, expect to pass the bill later Friday. The bill would then get sent to Hochul’s desk for her expected signature, then take effect Sept. 1.


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13 Comments
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elyeh
Noble Member
elyeh
1 year ago

These are just more ways for Democrats to stop 2nd Amendment right – and to delay by requiring lawsuits to invalidate the law.

Marcia
Marcia
1 year ago

I have nothing to hide…however, I totally am against this practice and find it invasive.

Liam K. Nuj
Liam K. Nuj
1 year ago

While I am all for most of this proposed legislation, I do have a problem with this social media clause. I am very wary of state meddling in possible freedom of speech infringements.

Democrats hate law abiding ciitzens.
Democrats hate law abiding ciitzens.
1 year ago

Fascistic Democrats and their unconstitutional laws. Facts don’t matter to them.

NYConservative
NYConservative
1 year ago

Worry not:
Tefasta muruba lo tefasta.

Kayla
Kayla
1 year ago

Very smart and appropriate law considering that shooters leave marks on social media that are afterwards being questioned: why couldn’t we stop him and didn’t notice this?

Able to state this as I have not sold my brain to any dumb party line on other side and prefer to use my God-given common sense instead of some non Jewish idealogy

Kollelfaker
Kollelfaker
1 year ago

Back to court and as for their checking on those that want a license they talk to neighbors can call your work supervisor. And I’m sure they are doing it already
Time to bring it back to the supremes

PaulinSaudi
PaulinSaudi
1 year ago

The fellow who attacked the synagogue in Pittsburgh was all over neo-Nazi social media. Such checks might have saved lives.