Protests erupt against the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn New York’s concealed carry law during anti-gun demonstrations

The US Supreme Court has struck down a New York law that required a “proper reason” to obtain a concealed carry license, sparking anti-gun demonstrations.

The verdict, which is expected to affect nearly a quarter of the US population, had been in effect for over a century before being overturned by a vote of 6-3 on Thursday.

3

3

3

This historic ruling comes days after a group of senators reached agreement on new gun safety legislation promoting “red flag” laws and increased background checks.

In a statement on the recent coup, President Joe Biden said he was “deeply disappointed”.

The President said the ruling “contradicts both common sense and the Constitution and should concern us all deeply”.

The decision has significantly increased the number of New York residents who may be able to be carried face down.

The law previously required citizens to demonstrate a valid reason or actual need to carry a handgun in public for self-defense.

Judge Clarence Thomas wrote that repealing the law “protects a person’s right to carry a pistol outside the home in self-defense”.

“We are not aware of any other constitutional right that an individual may exercise only after demonstrating a special need to government officials,” Thomas wrote, according to the AP.

Other states with similar laws include California, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Rhode Island.

These laws are expected to be challenged quickly.

Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat-elect, spoke out against the verdict after the Buffalo supermarket shooting.

“Not only is this decision reckless. It’s reprehensible,” Hochul said.

“That’s not what New Yorkers want.”

Other Republican elected officials, however, praised the ruling.

Tom King, president of the plaintiff New York State Rifle and Pistol Association, said he was relieved after the decision.

“New York State’s lawful and legal gun owners will no longer be prosecuted by laws that have nothing to do with people’s safety and will do nothing to make people safer,” King said.

“And maybe we don’t start prosecuting criminals and perpetrators of these heinous acts.”

This comes after members of the Senate reached an agreement and announced a new gun control framework on June 12.

“Today we are announcing a sensible, bipartisan proposal to protect America’s children, keep our schools safe, and reduce the threat of violence in our country,” the group said in a statement via NBC News.

“Families are afraid, and it is our duty to come together and do something that will help restore their sense of safety and security in their communities.”

Sen. Chris Murphy and Sen. John Cornyn add that the new measures “will not affect the gun rights of law-abiding Americans,” according to NBC News.

“Our plan increases needed mental health resources, improves school safety and support for students, and helps prevent dangerous criminals and those identified as mentally ill from purchasing guns,” the statement continued .

“Most importantly, our plan saves lives while protecting the constitutional rights of law-abiding Americans. We look forward to garnering broad, bipartisan support and turning our sensible proposal into law.”

The new legislation comes amid multiple mass shootings in 2022 alone, including the Robb Elementary school shooting that killed 19 students and two teachers, and the deadly Tops supermarket shooting in Buffalo, New York, at May 10 people died people.