New York Gun Laws Have Taken Effect Despite "Persuasive" Arguments Against Them

by M.C. Millman

The United Jewish Gun Coalition, New York State Jewish Gun Club, and other second amendment organizations are fighting back against the legislation signed by Governor Hochul banning people from carrying guns in "sensitive areas" - including houses of worship. 

The legislation is a response to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling overturning the State's century-old concealed carry law. The new gun legislation limits the locations in New York where a gun can be carried and places more restrictions on New Yorkers applying for a permit.  

The group of second amendment advocates retained civil rights attorneys Ameer Benno of Benno & Associated P.C. and Cory Morris of The Law Offices of Cory H. Morris as counsel through this legal battle. 

The timing of this new law is specifically troubling, with Rosh Hashanah coming up at the end of the month. According to Cory Morris, the new legislation "not only ensures that the surge in religion-based hate crimes will continue but turns worshippers into sitting ducks".

Ameer Benno says, "No one should have to choose between practicing their faith and defending themselves and their family. We will fight to strike down this blatantly unconstitutional law."

Chief United States District Judge Glenn Suddaby has called the new State gun laws in public places an "unconstitutional" response to a controversial ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court this past June.

"While pursuing the laudable goal of public safety, and in an attempt to curb ever-increasing mass shootings, the New York State Legislature has generated an unconstitutional statute," Suddaby says in a decision released last Wednesday.

NYS's win may be overturned, given the Judge's reasoning. Suddaby ruled that the plaintiffs did not have the standing to bring the legal action, despite writing that the arguments were persuasive. Suddaby suggested that if the gun rights advocates re-filed their case to comply with the ruling, he could side with the gun rights advocates.

"Plenty of people in the community worked hard to do things right," Tzvi Waldman, founder of the New York State Jewish Gun Club, shares with Rockland Daily. "They got the proper license and trained to be responsible gun owners. They did it to protect themselves, their family, and the people around them. It is appalling for the State to make them felons now for carrying their guns. The fact that the government won't allow people to carry in shul is a welcome sign to terrorists. No amount of government grants will ever be a substitute for an actual congregant being a part of the security team to protect himself and his family."

This vast undertaking requires the support of the Jewish Gun Club members and the public. The organization is crowdfunding to raise the necessary funds for this legal battle at www.nysjgc.com/donate.

Houses of worship from any denomination willing to stand hand in hand with the Jewish Gun Club through this fight should reach out to Tzvi Waldman. 

Anyone interested in joining as a plaintiff should fill out the online questionnaire at www.nysjgc.com/join or  email [email protected].