Judge blocks part of NY law that restricts carrying gun at houses of worship

BUFFALO, N.Y. — A federal judge in Buffalo ruled that it’s unconstitutional to restrict the concealed carry of guns in New York State houses of worship, striking down part of the new state gun law that went into effect on September 1.

The New York State gun law listed houses of worship like churches, synagogues, or mosques as sensitive locations where guns shouldn’t be allowed. With the judge’s ruling, that part of the law can’t be enforced. Earlier this month, two dozen churches across the state and a Rochester-based Christian political advocacy group filed a lawsuit arguing for allowing guns in houses of worship.

The new gun law also lists schools, parks, theaters, the subway, amusement parks, and Times Square as other sensitive locations.

An appeals court on October 12 issued a stay on a federal judge’s decision that would have temporarily blocked parts of it. The judge’s decision would have blocked a requirement that new applicants submit social media accounts when applying for a concealed carry license. The decision would have also allowed guns in New York City’s subway system or Times Square.

The stay gives the New York State Attorney General’s Office more time to argue for the laws.

More of our coverage:

• NY State’s gun control law will remain in effect as it moves through legal system (Oct 12)
• Federal judge halts key parts of New York State’s new gun law (Oct 6)
• Local churches sue New York State over gun law restrictions (Oct 5)
• Battle reenactments canceled after worries over new NY State gun law (Sept 28)
• New York’s new gun control law went into effect Sept. 1
• NYS issues updated FAQs on new gun laws set to take effect (Aug 24)