A federal judge in a 53-page ruling on Thursday placed a temporary restraining order on the provisions of New York's recently approved law tightening concealed carry requirements in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling this summer.
The ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Glenn Suddaby allows a legal challenge from the Gun Owners of America to proceed. The order takes effect in three days, allowing the state time to appeal.
The judge's ruling blocked parts of the new law from being enforced, including the requirement applicants for a concealed carry permit demonstrate "good moral character" and submit up to three years' worth of social media account information.
The ruling also blocked the requirement that prosepctive permit holders provide names of spouses, family members and domestic partners. And it scaled back the "sensitive locations" where guns cannot be carried.
The Democratic-led state Legislature and Gov. Kathy Hochul earlier this year approved the law after the Supreme Court found New York's century-old concealed carry law was unconstitutional.
In addition to new requirements for having a concealed carry permit, the measure also placed restrictions on where guns can be carried, including on mass transit, parks and attractions like Times Square in New York City.
Restrictions on guns in Times Sqaure would be lifted if the order takes effect.
Gov. Kathy Hochul and state Attorney General Letitia James both signaled in separate statements plans to appeal.
"Common-sense gun control regulations help save lives," James said. "I will not back down from the fight to protect New Yorkers from repeated and baseless attacks on our state’s gun safety measures. I will continue to defend our responsible gun laws and fight for the safety of everyday New Yorkers.”
Hochul called the law carefully crafted to withstand constitutional muster.
"While this decision leaves aspects of the law in place, it is deeply disappointing that the Judge wants to limit my ability to keep New Yorkers safe and to prevent more senseless gun violence," Hochul said.
Suddaby had previously questioned the constitutionality of the measure, but in late August declined to allow a case to move forward, ruling that plaintiffs in the case lacked standing.
The measure took effect on Sept. 1.
Multiple lawsuits challenging the law have been filed. Earlier this week, more than two dozen churches in upstate New York filed suit to challenge the law's ban on guns in houses of worship.
Republican critics of the law praised the development. Senate Minority Leader Robert Ortt called it a victory for gun rights.
"Albany’s political ruling class has repeatedly parroted a false narrative that law-abiding firearm owners are the root of increasing crime in our communities," Ortt said. "Nothing could be further from the truth."
Rep. Elise Stefanik, the No. 3 House Republican, called the law a "direct attack" on upstate values.
“Since the beginning, I have stood up against Hochul’s shameful attempt to shred our Constitution when she doubled down on her unconstitutional gun ban even after the United States Supreme Court struck it down," Stefanik said.