New York, NY – Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal (D/WF-Manhattan), Chair of the Assembly Committee on Social Services, today released the following statement regarding the US Supreme Court decision in the New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. v. Bruen case:

"This horribly irresponsible decision by the US. Supreme Court will have dramatic and deadly effects in New York and other states where strong protections exist against bringing weapons to public places. At a time when mass shootings are on the rise and we've seen an increase in deadly and wholly preventable gun violence, this decision is as irresponsible as it was predictable.We must address this horrendous decision in the Legislature immediately for the safety of all New Yorkers.

There’s no denying that the Supreme Court’s ruling in the Bruen case will place more New Yorkers at risk of gun violence. For more than 100 years, New York State has imposed strict requirements on carrying concealed handguns, requiring applicants to demonstrate proper cause to be approved for a license to carry outside of their home. This law has long kept New Yorkers safe, ensuring only those with a “special need for self-protection” can carry concealed firearms. Today’s decision will open the floodgates for people looking to carry firearms in public places without the same careful review process that has existed for decades.

It is frightening to think that busy and crowded areas like bars, subway stations, and even Times Square, could be filled with people carrying concealed firearms. At a time when near-daily mass shootings are occurring across the country, we in New York must take swift action. Today’s decision by the Supreme Court will have a ripple effect across the country, placing a target on similar gun safety laws in California, Connecticut, Maryland and Massachusetts.

The evidence is undeniable: places with more guns see more gun deaths. As the New York State Legislature has worked to protect New Yorkers from senseless gun violence, the gun industry has instead prioritized increasing its profits while evading any responsibility for the gun violence epidemic that is gripping our country.

In recent years, I’ve been proud to sponsor laws to crack down on the proliferation of ghost guns, to implement a microstamping requirement for new semi-automatic pistols sold in New York State and to expand gun buyback programs across the state. Now, I look forward to quickly returning to session to pass additional legislation to protect against gun violence.”