Gun rights advocates and Republican leaders were incensed, saying the legislation not only violated the Second Amendment, but also privacy and free speech rights. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, said at a news conference. “Sometimes, they’re telegraphing their intent to cause harm to others,” Gov. They predicted it too would end up being overturned.Īmong other things, the state’s new rules will require people applying for a handgun license to turn over a list of their social media accounts so officials could verify their “character and conduct.”Īpplicants will have to show they have “the essential character, temperament and judgment necessary to be entrusted with a weapon and to use it only in a manner that does not endanger oneself and others.”Īs part of that assessment, applicants have to turn over a list of social media accounts they've maintained in the past three years. Sign up for NBC New York newsletters.īut some Republican lawmakers, opposed to tighter restrictions, argued the law violated the constitutional right to bear arms. Get Tri-state area news and weather forecasts to your inbox.
