Governor Kathy Hochul said that starting in September, new gun laws will go into effect that prohibit those with concealed carry permits from being armed in sensitive locations.
These bills were signed by the Governor early in July to wrap up the extraordinary session and will go into effect on September 1.
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According to the Bill, it outlaws gun owners from carrying in many public places and on most government property. It also states that the gun owners will have to attend training courses to qualify for a permit.
The law also prohibits those with concealed carry permits from being armed in parks, public transit, medical and educational facilities, places of worship, and all government buildings.
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It also adds more eyes to every applicant’s character. The new law requires applicants to complete training courses set by the state, including live-fire testing, and then go through a renewal process every three years.
The laws received support from all local Democratic lawmakers, but opposing Republicans fear the new permit process will back up the court systems.
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“Just in the county I live in, there are 10,000 pistol permit holders and we only have two county court judges,” Assemble Member Marjorie Byrnes. “Our licensing authority are our two county court judges.”
The purchase of gun ammunition also requires background checks. Those who were convicted of drug or alcohol-related crimes don’t qualify for concealed carry permits.
Another law strengthened in this session was the law that bans the sale of hard-plate bulletproof vests, such as the type of vest the Buffalo shooter used. However, people can ask for exceptions, if it’s necessary for their job.