Speaker Heastie Statement on the Supreme Court Decision to Severely Limit States Rights to Prohibit Carrying Guns in Public

Today’s Supreme Court decision is a devastating blow to Americans across the country who are tired of living in constant fear of gun violence.

Like every constitutional right, the right to keep and bear arms is not absolute. This Supreme Court appears to believe otherwise.

Today’s ruling will have broad and dangerous consequences for states, including New York, that have chosen to prioritize the right of people to feel safe – not just in schools and government buildings, but at their place of worship or the grocery store – over unfettered access to firearms.

For more than 100 years, New York State has required individuals to establish proper cause to carry a gun in public spaces because we know that more guns do not make our streets safer.

In the aftermath of the racist attack in Buffalo and the horrific school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, the Assembly Majority passed sweeping legislation to strengthen our existing gun laws and help keep New Yorkers safe in their schools, places of worship and in their communities.

Here in New York, we will continue to fight to end the scourge of gun violence. We will continue our work with the Senate and the governor to ensure New York has the strongest gun laws possible, but we cannot do it alone.

This nation must open its eyes and begin a serious conversation about its dangerous fascination with guns and assault weapons. Our lives depend on it.